AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE JOINT ASSEMBLY(1)

Article 7

>Original text>

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>

The Bureau shall prepare the draft agenda of the session. The Co-Presidents shall submit this draft to the Assembly for its approval. The draft agenda of each session shall include two categories of topics:

1. Urgent subjects relating to the situation in different countries or regions.

2. Subjects and themes relating to development cooperation between the EU and ACP countries

under the Lomé Convention. The subjects and themes contained in this list shall be debated and put to the vote.

Article 7(2) (new)

>Amended 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 Article 7(1).

Article 17(1)

Assembly resolutions

>Original text>

1. An ACP representative, a political group or ten members may table a motion for a resolution. Motions for resolutions must concern the Convention or matters covered by the Convention. Motions for resolution shall be tabled one week before the opening of the session in which they are to be considered and voted on.

>Amended text>

1. An ACP representative, a political group or ten members may table a motion for a resolution. Motions for resolutions must concern the Convention or matters covered by the Convention. However, motions for resolutions must be limited to the items which are included in the agenda for debate according to Article 7. Motions for resolutions may not exceed two pages and shall be tabled one week before the opening of the session in which they are to be considered and voted on.

Article 17(3)

>Original text>

3. A committee of coordinators shall propose to the Bureau the subjects of motions for resolution to be considered and put to the vote. Other than resolutions submitted by the General Rapporteur, co-rapporteurs or working parties, these shall not be on more than seven subjects.

>Amended text>

Delete.

Article 17(4)

>Original text>

4. The Bureau shall examine the motions for resolutions and draw up a list of topics under which motions for resolutions on similar subjects shall be grouped. The total number of topics shall be no more than seven.

>Amended text>

4. The Bureau shall examine the motions for resolutions and draw up a list of topics under which motions for resolutions on similar subjects shall be grouped.

Article 20, new paragraph before existing first paragraph

Questions for oral answer

>Amended text>

Question time to the Council and Commission shall be held at each session at such times as may be decided by the Bureau so as to ensure the presence of both institutions at the highest level.

Article 20(1)

>Original text>

1. An ACP representative, a political group or five members may put questions for oral answer to the Council or the Commission.

>Amended text>

1. Each Member of the Assembly may put one question for oral answer to the Council and one to the Commission.

Article 20(4)

>Original text>

4. The Co-Presidents of the Assembly shall decide as to the admissibility of oral questions. This shall be governed by the scope and terms of the Convention. Questions declared admissible shall be forwarded to the Council or the Commission.

>Amended text>

4. The Co-Presidents of the Assembly shall decide as to the admissibility of oral questions. This shall be governed by the scope and terms of the Convention. Questions that are related to subjects which are already included in the agenda for discussion shall be declared inadmissible. Questions declared admissible shall be forwarded to the Council or the Commission. The Co-Presidents shall decide as to the order in which oral questions are taken. The author shall be notified immediately of their decision.

Article 20(6)

>Original text>

6. The Assembly shall set aside not more than two hours during each session for dealing with questions for oral answer.

>Amended text>

6. The Assembly shall set aside not more than two hours during each session for dealing with questions for oral answer. Questions that remain unanswered for lack of time shall be answered in writing unless the author withdraws his question.

Article 20(6a) (new)

>Amended text>

6a. A question may be answered only if its author is present or has notified the Co-Presidents in writing, before question time begins, of the name of his substitute.

Article 20(6b) (new)

>Amended text>

6b. If neither the author nor his substitute is present, the question shall be answered in writing.

Article 25

Fact-finding missions

>Original text>

The Bureau may decide to undertake fact-finding missions to ACP or EU countries or to international organisations, subject to budgetary constraints.

>Amended text>

The Bureau may decide to undertake fact-finding missions to ACP or EU countries or to international organisations, subject to budgetary constraints. The Bureau or the Joint Assembly may also decide to send delegations for the observation of presidential or parliamentary elections, at the invitation of the country concerned, provided that there are no concerns about security. Furthermore, in accordance with the principle of close cooperation laid down in Article 28, the Bureau may send delegations to meetings of the Economic and Social Committee and of the social partners, including those held outside Brussels.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Assembly on 1 April 1999 in Strasbourg (France).