Minister Lehtomäki to attend the Joint Parliamentary Assembly between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries

Press release 466/2006
17 November, 2006

Minister Paula Lehtomäki will attend the Joint Parliamentary Assembly between the representatives of the European Parliament and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries' parliaments on 20-23  November in Barbados. Minister Lehtomäki represents the Council of the European Union and answers questions by the Members of the European Parliament and the ACP parliaments.

The Joint Parliamentary Assembly meets twice a year in a plenary session, alternately in the European Union and in an ACP State. The aim of these meetings is to strengthen regional integration and to foster cooperation between national parliaments.

The Assembly will focus on issues pertaining to development and the ACP-EU Partnership. It adopts resolutions and makes recommendations with a view to achieving the objectives of the EU-ACP Partnership Agreement. The political topics for this meeting focus on East Africa, EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), the environment and social development.

The European Parliament maintains regular contacts with the ACP countries and the previous JPA was held in Vienna in June.

Further information: Director General Ritva Koukku-Ronde, gsm +358 40 830 4868, Adviser Tuukka Castrén, gsm +358 40 555 3610, Department for Development Policy