JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF THE AFRICAN, CARRIBBEAN AND PACIFIC GROUP OF STATES, OF THE ONE PART, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS MEMBER STATES, OF THE OTHER PART

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF MONDAY, 17 MARCH 2014

2014/C 345/01

Contents

Formal inaugural sitting

Sitting of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly

Composition of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly

Accreditation of non-parliamentary representatives

MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF MONDAY, 17 MARCH 2014

(The sitting opened at 11.05 a.m.)

Formal inaugural sitting

The following addressed the Assembly:

Louis Michel, Co-President of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Fitz A. Jackson, Co-President of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly, and Evangelos Meimarakis, Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament.

(The sitting adjourned at 12.15 p.m. and resumed at 15.05 p.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Louis MICHEL

Co-President

Sitting of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly

The Co-President welcomed all the participants.

Composition of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly

The Co-President announced that the list of members of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly, as forwarded by the authorities of the ACP states and the European Parliament, would be annexed to the minutes.

Accreditation of a non-parliamentary representative

The Co-President announced that one request for accreditation of a non-parliamentary representative had been received in accordance with Article 17(1) of the Cotonou Agreement and Article 1(2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly, owing to a case of force majeure. The representative’s presence would be recorded and his name listed in an annex to the minutes.

1.   Adoption of agenda (AP101.540)

The agenda was adopted as shown in these minutes.

2.   Approval of the minutes of the final sitting of the 26th session of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly (OJ C 64, 4.3.2014)

The minutes were approved.

3.   Co-Presidents’ announcements, including decisions taken at the Bureau meeting of 16 March 2014

The Co-President reported on the outcome of the Bureau meeting of 16 March 2014.

The following decisions were taken:

The Co-President announced the following deadlines:

4.   Urgent topic No 1: the human, economic and social rights of migrants in ACP and EU countries

Speakers: Roberto Ridolfi (European Commission), Boniface Yehouetome (Benin), Edit Bauer, Ahamada Chanfi Djaé (Comoros), Musa Hussein Naib (Eritrea), Catherine Bearder, Netty Baldeh (Gambia), Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin (Ghana), Abdikadir Omar Aden (Kenya), Ana Rita Geremias Sithole (Mozambique), Slavi Binev, Abdourahamane Chegou (Niger), Mariya Gabriel, Adjedoue Weidou (Chad) and Michael Gahler.

Members emphasised that migration is a natural global phenomenon which has numerous root causes, including poverty and conflict, but also stems from individuals’ aspirations for a better life. Speakers underlined that although migration has diverse impacts on the countries of origin, transit and destination, common responses are needed. They recalled the tragic events leading to loss of lives and called for stronger ACP-EU cooperation to ensure the utmost respect for migrants’ rights and for the stepping-up of the fight against human trafficking. Members also called for special attention for refugees and for the strengthening of the channels of legal migration.

5.   Regional integration and modernisation of customs for sustainable development in ACP countries, in cooperation with the EU

Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade

Co-Rapporteurs: Piet Van Der Walt (Namibia) and Oldřich Vlasák

Piet Van Der Walt (Namibia) and Peter Štastný (replacing Oldřich Vlasák) presented the report.

Speakers: Mo-Mamo Karerwa (Burundi), Peter Štastný, Norbert Neuser, Olle Schmidt, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin (Ghana), Abdikadir Omar Aden (Kenya), Sábado Teresa Malendza (Mozambique), Abdourahamane Chegou (Niger), Adjedoue Weidou (Chad), Michael Gahler, Komi Selom Klassou (Togo), Kennedy K. Hamudulu (Zambia), Mohammed Mukhtar Ahmed (Nigeria) and Roberto Ridolfi (European Commission).

Members stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation in customs matters in terms of fostering regional integration. They highlighted the vital role that customs administrations play in collecting duties and taxes, but stressed the need to strengthen their capacity in ACP countries with a view to facilitating trade flows and improving enforcement measures, including in the fight against corruption and other crimes. Members welcomed the trade facilitation agreement of the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali, aimed at cutting red tape and speeding up customs clearance. Members called for assistance in its implementation (e.g. via Aid for Trade).

Piet Van Der Walt (Namibia) and Peter Štastný wound up the debate.

6.   Urgent topic No 2: the crisis in the Central African Republic

Speakers: Vincent Ringenberg (EEAS), Mo-Mamo Karerwa (Burundi), Mariya Gabriel, Gberi Kombo (Cameroon), Miguel Ángel Martínez Martínez, Dambert René Ndouane (Republic of Congo), Louis Michel, Christophe Apala Pen’apala Lutundula (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Mohammed Mukhtar Ahmed (Nigeria), Netty Baldeh (Gambia), Abdikadir Omar Aden (Kenya), Abdourahamane Chegou (Niger), Michael Gahler, Adjedoue Weidou (Chad), Komi Selom Klassou (Togo), Jacob Oulanyah (Uganda), Peter Štastný and Laurent N’gon-Baba (Central African Republic).

Members called for swift action by the international community in the Central African Republic, commending the countries involved in the continued security and humanitarian and development efforts. Speakers underlined the need to re-establish peace and security and to ensure adequate funding in order to restore the rule of law and basic public services. Members condemned human rights abuses, stressing the importance of the fight against impunity and the creation of conditions for the return of refugees. They expressed their support for the transitional leaders of the Central African Republic and emphasised that the international community must ensure that parliamentary and presidential elections can take place as scheduled.

7.   Report of the economic and social partners

Presentation by Xavier Verboven, Chair of the ACP Follow-up Committee, European Economic and Social Committee

Mr Verboven provided an update regarding the EU-Africa economic and social stakeholders’ network meeting of 4—5 March 2014, emphasising the importance of youth employment, social protection, food security and migration challenges.

Members welcomed the continued cooperation existing among civil societies of both EU and ACP countries, and stressed the need to ensure a better synergy between education systems and the needs of the labour market.

Speakers: Adjedoue Weidou (Chad), Ousmane Kaba (Guinea) and Miguel Ángel Martínez Martínez.

Mr Verboven wound up the debate.

(The sitting closed at 18.25 p.m.)