Amendments to the rules of procedure

>Original text>

Article 2

Bureau of the Assembly

>Amended text>

Article 2

Bureau of the Assembly

>Original text>

1. The Assembly shall elect a Bureau from among its members for a period of one year.

>Amended text>

1. The Assembly shall elect a Bureau from among its members for a period of one year.

>Original text>

2. The Bureau shall consist of two Co-Presidents of equal status, and 24 Vice-Presidents. Half of the members of the Bureau shall be put forward by the representatives of the ACP States and half by the representatives of the European Parliament, in accordance with a procedure laid down by each of them.

>Amended text>

2. The Bureau shall consist of two Co-Presidents of equal status, and 24 Vice-Presidents. Half of the members of the Bureau shall be put forward by the representatives of the ACP States and half by the representatives of the European Parliament, in accordance with a procedure laid down by each of them.

>Original text>

3. The Bureau shall prepare the work of the Assembly, follow up the activities and resolutions of the Assembly and establish all necessary contacts with the ACP-EU Council of Ministers, hereinafter called "the Council of Ministers" and the ACP-EU Committee of Ambassadors.

>Amended text>

3. The Bureau shall prepare the work of the Assembly, follow up the activities and resolutions of the Assembly and establish all necessary contacts with the ACP-EU Council of Ministers, hereinafter called "the Council of Ministers" and the ACP-EU Committee of Ambassadors.

>Original text>

4. The Bureau shall be responsible for the coordination of the work of the Assembly.

>Amended text>

4. The Bureau shall be responsible for the coordination of the work of the Assembly.

>Original text>

5. The Bureau shall meet, on the initiative of the Co-Presidents, not less than twice a year, normally prior to the sessions of the Assembly.

>Amended text>

5. The Bureau shall meet, on the initiative of the Co-Presidents, not less than twice a year, normally prior to the sessions of the Assembly.

>Original text>

6. The Bureau shall submit to the Assembly the proposed agenda for the debates. It shall be responsible for ensuring that, as far as possible, half the items on the agenda concern matters of common interest. It may propose a limitation of speaking time for debates.

>Amended text>

6. The Bureau shall submit to the Assembly the proposed agenda for the debates. It shall be responsible for ensuring that, as far as possible, half the items on the agenda concern matters of common interest. It may propose a limitation of speaking time for debates.

>Amended text>

7. The Bureau shall be the body responsible for matters relating to the composition and the responsibilities of the standing committees.

>Amended text>

8. The Bureau shall be the body responsible for authorising the standing committees to draw up reports and motions for resolutions.

>Amended text>

9. The Bureau may also refer matters for consideration by the standing committees, which may subsequently request to draw up a report on a particular topic.

>Original text>

7. The Bureau shall be responsible for monitoring the follow-up to resolutions and decisions of the Assembly. In the case of resolutions tabled by a standing parliamentary committee, it may delegate responsibility for monitoring the follow-up to the chairman and rapporteur of the standing parliamentary committee.

>Amended text>

10. The Bureau shall be responsible for monitoring the follow-up to resolutions and decisions of the Assembly. In the case of resolutions tabled by a standing parliamentary committee, it may delegate responsibility for monitoring the follow-up to the chairman and rapporteur of the standing parliamentary committee.

>Original text>

8. The meetings of the Bureau shall not be public.

>Amended text>

11. The meetings of the Bureau shall not be public.

>Original text>

Article 4

Observers

>Amended text>

Article 4

Observers

>Original text>

1. In the event of the accession of another State to the Partnership Agreement and pending ratification of this Agreement by that State, a representative thereof may attend sessions of the Assembly as an observer. States which are members of the ACP Group may attend the Assembly as observers.

>Amended text>

1. In the event of the accession of another State to the Partnership Agreement and pending ratification of this Agreement by that State, a representative thereof may attend sessions of the Assembly as an observer. States which are members of the ACP Group may attend the Assembly as observers.

>Original text>

2. Regional economic groupings of the ACP States, the European Economic and Social Committee and representatives of the ACP-EU economic and social partners and the other actors of civil society may send delegates to attend the sessions of the Assembly as observers. These delegates may also attend the regional or sub-regional parliamentary meetings of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

>Amended text>

2. Regional economic groupings of the ACP States, the European Economic and Social Committee and representatives of the ACP-EU economic and social partners and the other actors of civil society may send delegates to attend the sessions of the Assembly as observers. These delegates may also attend the meetings of the standing committees and the regional or sub-regional parliamentary meetings of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

>Original text>

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the Centre for Development of Enterprises (CDE) may attend sessions of the Assembly.

>Amended text>

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the Centre for Development of Enterprises (CDE) may attend sessions of the Assembly.

>Original text>

3. The Co-President may, with the agreement of the Bureau, invite other organisations or persons to attend sessions of the Assembly, regional or sub-regional parliamentary meetings and meetings of standing parliamentary committees as observers.

>Amended text>

3. The Co-President may, with the agreement of the Bureau, invite other organisations or persons to attend sessions of the Assembly, meetings of the standing committees and regional or sub-regional parliamentary meetings as observers.

>Original text>

4. Observers shall not have the right to vote. They may address the session with the agreement of the Assembly.

>Amended text>

4. Observers shall not have the right to vote. They may address the session with the agreement of the Assembly.

>Original text>

Article 7

General report and general rapporteur

1. The Assembly shall appoint a general rapporteur annually. The general rapporteur shall be appointed by the ACP groups and EP members alternately.

2. The appointment of the general rapporteur shall be conducted in accordance with a clear procedure defined by the ACP group and the EP members respectively, taking into account the composition, the level of representation and the minority views of the members of the Assembly.

>Amended text>

(deleted)

>Original text>

Article 8

Agenda

>Amended text>

Article 7

Agenda

>Original text>

1. The Bureau shall prepare the draft agenda of the session. The Co-Presidents shall submit this draft to the Assembly for its approval.

>Amended text>

1. The Bureau shall prepare the draft agenda of the session. The Co-Presidents shall submit this draft to the Assembly for its approval. Subjects shall relate to development cooperation between the European Union and the ACP States in the framework of the partnership agreement.

>Original text>

The draft agenda of each session shall include two categories of topics:

The draft agenda of each session shall include two categories of topics:

>Original text>

i) Subjects relating to the situation in different countries or regions, which shall be placed in a regional context. Exceptionally the situation in a particular country may be treated on its own.

>Amended text>

i) Reports submitted by the standing committees. These will be limited to three per session.

>Original text>

ii) Subjects and themes relating to development cooperation between the EU and ACP countries under the Partnership Agreement.

>Amended text>

ii) Urgent topics, proposed by a standing committee or submitted by the Bureau itself. Urgent topics shall only be included on an exceptional basis and may not exceed two per session.

>Original text>

The subjects and themes contained in this list shall be debated and put to the vote. The resolutions to be put to the vote should have a regional character.

>Original text>

2. A committee of coordinators may propose to the Bureau a list of urgent subjects regarding the situation in different countries or regions to be included in the agenda in accordance with paragraph 1.

>Amended text>

2. On urgent topics, a motion for a resolution may be tabled by a representative of the ACP States, a political group or ten members. Motions for resolutions must be limited to the urgent topics entered on the agenda for the session and may not exceed 800 words. Motions for resolutions must be tabled four weeks prior to the opening of the session at which they are to be debated and voted on.

>Amended text>

3. Motions for resolutions on urgent topics shall be submitted to the Bureau. The Bureau shall check that each motion for a resolution meets the criteria set out in the previous paragraph, is entered on the agenda and is available in English and French. The Bureau's proposals shall be submitted to the Assembly for approval.

>Amended text>

4. The Bureau shall forward, for information, the motions for resolutions on urgent topics to the committee responsible.

>Amended text>

Article 14.3

>Amended text>

3. For Members of the European Parliament, speaking time will be allocated according to the d'Hondt system.

>Amended text>

(deleted)

>Amended text>

Article 15.7

>Amended text>

7. Any request tabled in accordance with paragraphs 3, 4 and 6 of this article will belong to its author and accordingly may be withdrawn at any time before the vote.

>Original text>

Article 18

Assembly resolutions

>Amended text>

Article 17

Assembly resolutions

>Original text>

1. The Bureau shall draw up a list of no more than five topics relating to development cooperation between the EU and ACP countries under the Partnership Agreement, which shall be included in the draft agenda in accordance with Article 8 of these Rules.

>Amended text>

1. The Assembly shall vote on motions for resolutions included in reports submitted by the standing committees, in accordance with Article 7.

>Original text>

2. A representative of the ACP States, a political group or ten members may table a motion for a resolution on a subject covered by the Partnership Agreement. However, motions for resolutions shall be limited to the subjects that are included in the agenda for the session and shall be no more than 800 words long. Motions for resolutions shall be tabled four weeks before the opening of the session in which they are to be discussed and voted on.

>Amended text>

2. The Assembly shall also vote on any motions for resolutions on urgent topics, in accordance with Article 7.

>Original text>

3. Motions for resolutions shall be submitted to the Bureau. The Bureau shall verify that each motion for a resolution fulfils the requirements of the preceding paragraph, is included on the agenda and is available in English and French. The Bureau's proposals shall be submitted to the Assembly for its approval.

>Amended text>

3. The acting President shall invite the authors of any motions for resolutions on a similar urgent topic to draw up a compromise motion. At the end of the debate, each compromise motion for a resolution and the amendments thereto shall be put to the vote in the Assembly. Once a compromise motion for a resolution has been adopted, all other motions tabled on the same topic shall fall.

>Original text>

4. The Bureau shall refer to the respective rapporteurs motions for resolutions on matters related to the general report or the powers of the parliamentary committees.

>Amended text>

(deleted)

>Original text>

5. The President shall invite the authors of resolutions on the same topic to draw up a compromise resolution. Following a debate, each compromise resolution and any amendments to it shall be put to the vote in the Assembly. If a compromise resolution has been approved, all the other resolutions on the same topic fall.

>Amended text>

(deleted)

>Original text>

6. Motions for resolutions on fundamental freedoms and individual human rights cases shall be examined according to specific rules of procedure drawn up by the Bureau.

>Amended text>

(deleted)

>Original text>

7. Resolutions adopted by the Assembly shall be forwarded to the Commission and the Council of Ministers and to any other interested parties. The Commission and the Council of Ministers will report on follow-up to adopted resolutions at the next session of the Assembly.

>Amended text>

4. Resolutions adopted by the Assembly shall be forwarded to the Commission and the Council of Ministers and to any other interested parties. The Commission and the Council of Ministers will report on follow-up to adopted resolutions at the next session of the Assembly.

>Original text>

Article 25

Standing parliamentary committees

>Amended text>

Article 24

Standing parliamentary committees

>Original text>

1. The Assembly shall set up three standing parliamentary committees responsible for the following areas in the context of the implementation of the Partnership Agreement:

- promoting democratic processes through dialogue and consultation,

- economic, financial and trade matters and implementation of the European Development Fund,

- social and environmental issues.

>Amended text>

1. The Assembly shall set up three standing parliamentary committees responsible for the following areas in the context of the implementation of the Partnership Agreement:

- promoting democratic processes through dialogue and consultation,

- economic, financial and trade matters and implementation of the European Development Fund,

- social and environmental issues.

>Original text>

2. In line with the general arrangements for the functioning of the Assembly, the standing parliamentary committees shall be composed and shall function in a strictly joint manner.

>Amended text>

2. In line with the general arrangements for the functioning of the Assembly, the standing parliamentary committees shall be composed of members of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly, in accordance with Article 1, and shall function in a strictly joint manner.

>Original text>

3. The rules of procedure of the standing parliamentary committees shall be adopted by the Assembly on a proposal from the Bureau.

>Amended text>

3. The rules of procedure of the standing parliamentary committees shall be adopted by the Assembly on a proposal from the Bureau. They are annexed to the present Rules of Procedure.

>Original text>

ANNEX I

Powers, responsibilities, membership and procedures of standing committees

>Amended text>

ANNEX I

Powers, responsibilities, membership and procedures of standing committees

>Original text>

Article 1

>Amended text>

Article 1

>Original text>

There shall be three standing parliamentary committees with the following powers and responsibilities:

>Amended text>

There shall be three standing parliamentary committees with the following powers and responsibilities:

>Original text>

>TABLE>

I. Committee on Political Affairs

>Amended text>

>TABLE>

I. Committee on Political Affairs

>Original text>

This committee is responsible for matters relating to:

>Amended text>

This committee is responsible for matters relating to:

>Original text>

1. Political dialogue (Article 8 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement) and institutional development;

>Amended text>

1. Political dialogue (Article 8 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement), development and institutional matters;

>Original text>

2. Respect for and promotion of human rights, democracy and good governance (Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

2. Respect for and promotion of human rights, democracy and good governance (Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

3. Peace-building policies, conflict prevention and resolution (Article 11 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

3. Peace-building policies, conflict prevention and resolution (Article 11 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

4. Issues concerning migration (Article 13 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

4. Issues concerning migration (Article 13 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

5. Assembly relations with relevant international organisations.

>Amended text>

5. Assembly relations with relevant international organisations.

>Original text>

This committee will coordinate the work of fact-finding missions, including those sent to monitor elections, according to Article 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly.

>Amended text>

This committee will coordinate the work of fact-finding missions, including those sent to monitor elections, according to Article 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly.

>Original text>

>TABLE>

II. Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade

>Amended text>

>TABLE>

II. Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade

>Original text>

This committee is responsible for matters relating to:

>Amended text>

This committee is responsible for matters relating to:

>Original text>

1. Economic development and trade cooperation, as well as capacity-building for development and partnership;

>Amended text>

1. Economic development and trade cooperation, as well as capacity-building for development and partnership;

>Original text>

2. Macroeconomic and structural reforms, economic sector development and tourism (Articles 22-24 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

2. Macroeconomic and structural reforms, economic sector development and tourism (Articles 22-24 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

3. New ACP-EC trading arrangements, market access and the gradual integration of ACP States into the world economy (Articles 34-37 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

3. New ACP-EC trading arrangements, market access and the gradual integration of ACP States into the world economy (Articles 34-37 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

4. Trade and labour standards (Article 50 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

4. Trade and labour standards (Article 50 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

5. Rural development, fisheries and food security (Article 53 and 54 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

5. Rural development, fisheries and food security (Article 53 and 54 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

6. All issues concerning development finance cooperation including follow-up of the implementation of the European Development Fund.

>Amended text>

6. All issues concerning development finance cooperation including follow-up of the implementation of the European Development Fund.

>Original text>

>TABLE>

III. Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment

>Amended text>

>TABLE>

III. Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment

>Original text>

This committee is responsible for matters relating to:

>Amended text>

This committee is responsible for matters relating to:

>Original text>

1. Social and human development;

>Amended text>

1. Social and human development;

>Original text>

2. Social infrastructure and services, including health and education issues (Article 25 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

2. Social infrastructure and services, including health and education issues (Article 25 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

3. Youth and cultural issues (Articles 26 and 27 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

3. Youth and cultural issues (Articles 26 and 27 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

4. Gender issues (Article 31 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Amended text>

4. Gender issues (Article 31 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement);

>Original text>

5. Environment and natural resources (Article 32 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement).

>Amended text>

5. Environment and natural resources (Article 32 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement).

>Original text>

Article 2

>Amended text>

Article 2

>Original text>

1. Each member of the Assembly will have the right to be a member of one of the standing committees.

>Amended text>

1. Each member of the Assembly will have the right to be a member of one of the standing committees.

>Original text>

2. Two of the committees shall be composed of 52 members and one of 50 members and shall consist of equal numbers of, on the one hand, Members of the European Parliament and, on the other, members of Parliament representing the ACP countries. Should the number of ACP countries increase, the number of places on the standing committees will increase pro rata.

>Amended text>

2. Two of the committees shall be composed of 52 members and one of 50 members and shall consist of equal numbers of, on the one hand, Members of the European Parliament and, on the other, members of Parliament representing the ACP countries. Should the number of ACP countries increase, the number of places on the standing committees will increase pro rata.

>Original text>

3. Members may also attend meetings of committees to which they do not belong in an advisory capacity or if the subject under discussion covers their country or region, if invited by the Committee Bureau.

>Amended text>

3. Members may also attend meetings of committees to which they do not belong in an advisory capacity or if the subject under discussion covers their country or region, if invited by the Committee Bureau.

>Original text>

4. The participation of representatives who are not members of a Parliament shall only be allowed if the subject under discussion covers their country, but they will not have the right to vote.

>Amended text>

4. The participation of representatives who are not members of a Parliament shall only be allowed if the subject under discussion covers their country, but they will not have the right to vote.

>Original text>

5. Unless a committee decides otherwise, all meetings are public.

>Amended text>

5. Unless a committee decides otherwise, all meetings are public.

>Original text>

Article 3

>Amended text>

Article 3

>Original text>

1. The composition of the committees shall, as far as possible, reflect the composition of the Assembly.

>Amended text>

1. The composition of the committees shall, as far as possible, reflect the composition of the Assembly.

>Original text>

2. The committees shall elect a Committee Bureau among its members for a period of one year.

>Amended text>

2. The committees shall elect a Committee Bureau among its members for a period of one year.

>Original text>

3. The Committee Bureau shall consist of two co-chairmen (one representative of the European Parliament and one representative of the ACP countries) and two co-vice-chairmen (one representative of the ACP countries and one representative of the European Parliament).

>Amended text>

3. The Committee Bureau shall consist of two co-chairmen (one representative of the European Parliament and one representative of the ACP countries) and four co-vice-chairmen (two representatives of the ACP countries and two representatives of the European Parliament).

>Original text>

4. The committees shall be jointly chaired by a member of the European Parliament and by a member of a Parliament representing an ACP country.

>Amended text>

4. The committees shall be jointly chaired by a member of the European Parliament and by a member of a Parliament representing an ACP country.

>Original text>

5. The committees may appoint rapporteurs to examine specific questions within their competence and prepare reports and resolutions to be submitted to the Assembly.

>Amended text>

5. The committees may appoint rapporteurs to examine specific questions within their competence and prepare reports to be submitted to the Assembly, subject to authorisation from the Bureau, in accordance with Article 2 of the Rules of Procedure.

>Amended text>

Motions for resolutions contained in reports may be accompanied by an explanatory statement, which shall not exceed four pages.

>Amended text>

6. The standing committees may discuss other agenda items without report and advise the Bureau in writing that the said items were discussed.

>Amended text>

7. Committees shall also contribute to the dialogue with non-state actors, in accordance with Article 17(3) of the Partnership Agreement, in particular by means of hearings.

>Original text>

6. The committees shall report to the Assembly on their activities.

>Amended text>

8. The committees shall report to the Assembly on their activities.

>Original text>

Article 4

>Amended text>

Article 4

>Original text>

1. Committees shall meet when convened by their co-chairs and for a maximum of four sessions per year, two of them during the session of the Assembly.

>Amended text>

1. Committees shall meet when convened by their co-chairs and for a maximum of four sessions per year, two of them during the session of the Assembly.

>Original text>

2. Any member may table amendments for consideration in committee. As far as the procedure is concerned, Articles 3 (attendance of other institutions), 4 (observers), 9 (quorum), 10 (presidency of sittings), 16 (right to vote and methods of voting) and 29 (consultation with civil society) of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly shall apply mutatis mutandis to committee meetings.

>Amended text>

2. Any member may table amendments for consideration in committee. As far as the procedure is concerned, Articles 3 (attendance of other institutions), 4 (observers), 9 (quorum), 10 (presidency of sittings), 16 (right to vote and methods of voting) and 29 (consultation with civil society) of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly shall apply mutatis mutandis to committee meetings.