Press release

5 December 2001.

146b085e

The main issues of the ACP Council of Ministers (Brussels, 6-7 December 2001)

The 74th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers will be held in Brussels on 6 and 7 December 2001.  Among the main issues on the agenda of this session are listed :

Appointment of the Rapporteur and Friends of the Rapporteur.

According to the system of rotation utilised for sessions of Council held in Brussels, it is the turn of the Pacific Region to provide the Rapporteur. The Rapporteur will be assisted by five “friends” to be appointed by each of the other Regions.

Consideration of reports: on the activities of the Committee of Ambassadors since the the lastsession in May 2001 ; on the reform and restructuring of the ACP Group ; report  of the Secretary-general  with a view to informing of the various initiatives and activities which he has undertaken during the past six months.

Ministerial consultations’ on Bananas, Sugar and on Development finance cooperation

Council will hear reports from the Ministers who have responsibility for these ACP commodities and may give guidance on the issues raised in the reports.

Trade matters

Among the issues wich will be considered by the Council are : the outcome of the 4th WTO Ministeiral Conference (Doha) and the preparations of the forthcoming trade negotiations

between the ACP and the EU

Financial situation of the ACP Secretariat

The Secretary-General will report to Council on the financial situation of the Secretariat.

Neccessity of holding a Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government in 2002

Council will need to decide whether the international situation and the issues currently engaging the ACP Group are of such a nature that a 3 rd Summit in of ACP Heads of State and Government should be convened in 2002. To assist it in the deliberations on this issue, Council will use a document prepared by the ACP Secretary-General

The decision to hold a Summit would also require Council to pronounce on the date and venue for this high-level meeting.

Appointment of members of the incoming Ministerial Bureau

The regions should designate their respective representatives on the Bureau to assume office on 1 st February 2002. Referring to the system of rotation, the Presidency falls to West Africa.

Adoption of decisions and resolutions

Date and venue of the 75 th session of the ACP Council of Ministers and the 27 th session of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers 

The 75 th session of the ACP Council of Ministers will be held immediately preceding the 27 th session of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers at the same venue. 

contact :     Hegel Goutier        tel : +32 2 743 06 04        fax + 32 2 743 06 58         http://www.acp.int