Brussels, 10/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The joint ACP-EU parliamentary assembly, made up of MEPs and MP from ACP (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) countries, is meeting in Rome from 11 to 15 October, for its sixth session. Glennys Kinnock (Labour, UK), co-chair for the EU, and the Beninese Adrien Houngbedji, ACP co-chair, will jointly chair the work. Poul Nielson, Development Commissioner, will represent the European Commission. Jacques Diouf, Director General of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) and James T. Morris, executive director of the World Food Programme, will also address the session.
On the agenda will be: 1) a debate on the results of the WTO Ministerial conference in Cancun; 2) a debate on progress made in trade negotiations to conclude economic partnership agreements (EPAs) between the European Union and ACP-integrated regional bodies; 3) an examination of reports on children's rights, especially child soldiers; sustainable management and the conservation of natural resources in ACP countries; 4) the use of the European Development Fund (EDF). These reports were prepared by the assembly's standing committees (committee on social affairs and the environment, committee on political affairs, committee on economic development, finance and trade).
During the session, the ACP co-chair will give an account of his mission to Zimbabwe, accompanied by five ACP MPs. It is worth noting that after the assembly's session in Brussels was cancelled in November 2002, because of a refusal to allow a Zimbabwean representative into the European Parliament, the assembly failed at its last session to adopt a joint resolution on this country.