MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2009

(2010/C 68/02)

(The sitting opened at 9.10 a.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Mr MICHEL

Co-President

1.   Substitutes

The Co-President announced the following substitutes: Bastos (for Carvalho), Binev (for McMillan-Scott), Cashman (for Toia), Czarnecki (for Legutko), Fox (for Sturdy), Girling (for Ford), Goebbels (for Bullmann), Gomes (for Moreira), Gurmai (for De Keyser), Jäätteenmäki (for Jensen), Kastler (for Caspary), Migalski (for Vlasák), Ponga (for De Mita), Rinaldi (for Griesbeck), Sargentini (for Jadot), Theocharous (for Kuhn) and Włosowicz (for Hannan).

2.   World Aids Day

Statements by Co-Presidents

The Co-President announced that it was World Aids Day and the Co-Presidents made statements to commemorate the day.

A minute of silence was held.

The following spoke: Ronzulli, Cashman, Milupi (Zambia), Sylla (Mali), Ogwal (Uganda) and Jervase Yak (Sudan).

3.   Lisbon Treaty

The Co-President mentioned the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December.

4.   Refugees, with particular emphasis on the impact of climate change:

Debate without resolution

Mr Sanda Kimbimbi, UNHCR Special Representative, made a statement.

Speakers: Manservisi (European Commission), Roithová, Sylla (Mali), Gomes, Hamatoukour (Cameroon), Jäätteenmäki, Mugambe (Uganda), Zimmer, Kombo (Kenya), Neuser, William (Seychelles) and Manirakiza (Burundi).

Mr Manservisi and Mr Kimbimbi responded to Members' comments and questions.

5.   Urgent topic No 1: Climate Change

Speakers: Manservisi (European Commission), Zanicchi, McAvan, Sylla (Mali), Bearder, Sall (Senegal), Manamela (South Africa), Sargentini, Italeli (Tuvalu), Callanan, Roberts (Grenada), Ferreira J., Darbo (Chad), Schnellhardt, Bounkoulou (Republic of the Congo), Castex, Hamatoukour (Cameroon), Mushelenga (Namibia), Ponga and Toga (Ethiopia).

6.   Report of the economic and social partners

Presentation by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and by regional civil society representatives.

Mr Jahier, President of the EESC ACP-EU follow-up committee, and Mr Makeka, representative of the African Employers Association, made presentations.

Speakers: Schmidt and Rinaldi.

Mr Jahier and Mr Makeka responded to Members' comments and questions.

7.   The impact of the financial crisis on the ACP States

Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade

Report by Mr Joseph Mugambe (Uganda) and Mr Hans-Peter Mayer

Speakers: Mugambe (Uganda), Mayer, Manservisi (European Commission), Manamela (South Africa), Mitchell, Assarid (Mali), Goebbels, Jäätteenmäki, Toga (Ethiopia), Joly, Hamatoukour (Cameroon), Czarnecki, Hoarau, Mafura (Lesotho), Engel, Straker (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), Arif, Sithole (Mozambique), Guerrero Salom, Lutundula (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Gomes and Abdullahi (Nigeria).

Mr Manservisi and the co-rapporteurs responded to Members' comments and questions.

The sitting adjourned at 12.55 p.m.