It is expected that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) negotiations will feature predominantly in the meeting. A consolidated position emanating from the six ACP negotiating regions is being finalized at this point for deliberations and eventually for discussions in the ACP-EC Joint Council of Ministers meeting scheduled for 25 May 2007.

Council will hear the report from the Committee of Ambassadors on the activities conducted since the 84^th Session held in Sudan in December 2006, and the Secretary-General’s report on the initiatives taken and the main tasks accomplished since the last Council session.

The ACP Ministers will also be expected to offer guidance and, where necessary, make decisions on the ongoing reform of the ACP Secretariat that began 2000. Its main objective is to enhance the effectiveness of the Secretariat in executing its institutional mandate and its role as an implementing vehicle of certain projects funded under the Intra-ACP resources.

The meeting will afford the Ministers the opportunity to begin preparations for the 32^nd session of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers, scheduled for 25 May 2007, and to examine the items on the meeting’s agenda.

The Council session will be preceded on 20 and 21 May 2007 by the following meetings: Ministerial Committees and Consultations on Bananas, Sugar (Consultative and LDC Group), Cotton and the Development Finance Committee.

Press activities: 

Official Opening

Date                : Tuesday 22 May 2007

Time               : 9.45 to 10.15

Venue             : ACP House, 451 Avenue Georges Henri, 1200 Brussels.

Only photographers and cameramen will be authorised to cover the opening session.

Press Conference

Date                : Thursday 24 May 2007

Time               : 12.15 at the end of the Council meeting (to be confirmed)

Venue             : ACP House, 451 Avenue Georges Henri, 1200 Brussels.

We should be grateful if you could confirm your participation, by 22^nd May 2007 at 4pm, by writing to the following address: rholy@acp.int.

The meeting will be closed to the general public and journalists.

Contact:

Holy Ramanankasina

Press Service

ACP Secretariat

451 Avenue Georges Henri

1200 Brussels

Tel.: 02.743.06.17

Fax: 02.735.55.73

The Council of Ministers is the 2^nd highest decision-making body of the ACP Group after the ACP Summit of Heads of State and Government. It is responsible for the implementation of guidelines defined by the Summit. It is composed of one member of the Government of each Member State or a designated representative. Council meets in ordinary session twice per year and may also meet in a special session when necessary. A President is elected by the Council at the end of each ordinary session. A system of rotation is used to ensure the succession of representatives of the six ACP regions to the Council Presidency.