MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF WEDNESDAY, 19 MARCH 2008

(2008/C 271/03)

(The sitting opened at 9.08 a.m.)

IN THE CHAIR: Mr RASMUSSEN

Co-President

1.   Statement by the Co-President

The co-president announced changes to the agenda for Wednesday, 19 March. The item on the report by the Committee on Political Affairs would be taken as the first item.

2.   Report by: Mr Bornito De Sousa (Angola) and Mr Filip Kaczmarek

Mr De Sousa (Angola) and Mr Kaczmarek introduced the report.

Speakers: Gahler, Leinen, Assarid (Mali), Zimmer, Wieland and Yañez-Barnuevo.

Mr Manservisi (European Commission) replied to questions.

Mr Kaczmarek and Mr De Sousa (Angola) wound up the debate.

3.   Approval of minutes of meeting of Tuesday morning 18 March 2008

The minutes were approved.

4.   Report of the economic and social partners: Economic Partnership Agreements: what prospects for the future and what role for civil society?

Mr Dantin, Chairman of the ACP-EU Follow-Up Committee introduced the draft report ‘The Economic Partnership Agreements: what prospects for the future and what role for civil society?’

Speakers: Dalrymple-Philibert (Jamaica), William (Seychelles), Sithole (Mozambique), Seck (Senegal), Borrell Fontelles, Jouye de Grandmaison and Amon-Ago (Côte d'Ivoire).

Mr Dantin replied.

5.   Urgent topic No 2: The situation in Chad

Mr Manservisi (European Commission) introduced the topic.

Speakers: Schröder, Dekuek (Sudan), Gomes, Saïd (Djibouti), Hall, Aubert, Kaczmarek, Bounkoulou (Congo), Toga (Ethiopia), Abdullahi (Nigeria), Berend, Seck (Senegal) and Lutundula (Democratic Republic of Congo).

6.   Report by: Mr Alma Oumarou (Niger) and Mr Gay Mitchell

Mr Oumarou (Niger) and Mr Mitchell introduced the report.

Speakers: Seck (Senegal), Novak, Borrell Fontelles, Danata (Cameroon), O.Schmidt, Sithole (Mozambique), Deerpalsing (Mauritius), Aubert, Assarid (Mali), Jouye de Grandmaison, William (Seychelles) and Mporogomyi (Tanzania).

Mr Baum (European Commission) replied.

Mr Oumarou (Niger) and Mr Mitchell wound up the debate.

7.   Sport for Development and Peace

Mr Koss and Mr O'Brien introduced the topic.

Speakers: Kgathi (Botswana), Isler Béguin, Toga (Ethiopia), Martens, Lahai (Sierra Leone), Callanan, Assarid (Mali), Sturdy, William (Seychelles), Cheron (Haiti) and De Sousa (Angola).

Mr Baum (European Commission) replied to questions.

Mr O'Brien and Mr Koss wound up the debate.

8.   Question Time to the Council

Speaker: Mr Naib (Eritrea) on Question 21 (Article 14 of the Rules of Procedure).

(The sitting closed at 1.10 p.m.)