Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Partnership Agreement concluded between the Members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Union and its Member States, of the other part — Minutes of the sitting of Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Date: 2017-06-20
Institutions: ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly
Subjects: ACP-EU relationship, Burundi, Cotonou Agreement, Sahel, common foreign and security policy, crime against humanity, development aid, hunger, international cooperation, sport




C_2017405EN.01000501.xml










29.11.2017   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 405/5





JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC GROUP OF STATES, OF THE ONE PART, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS MEMBER STATES, OF THE OTHER PART
MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF TUESDAY, 20 JUNE 2017
(2017/C 405/02)

Contents








1.

Urgent topic No 1: The security situation in the Sahelo-Saharan region
5










2.

The financing of political parties in ACP and EU countries
6








Committee on Political Affairs
6








Co-rapporteurs: Worlea Saywah Dunnah (Liberia) and Cécile Kashetu Kyenge
6










3.

The role of sport as enabler for education and poverty eradication
6








Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment
6








Co-rapporteurs: Abderrahmane Marrakchy (Mauritania) and Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio
6










4.

Risk of the emergence of the most severe famine and humanitarian crisis in history
7








Debate with Christos Stylianides, Member of the European Commission with responsibility for humanitarian aid and crisis management
7










5.

Adoption of agenda
7










6.

Impunity for crimes against humanity
7










7.

Approval of the minutes of Monday, 19 June 2017
8










8.

Improving aid and development effectiveness in EU-ACP cooperation
8










9.

Urgent topic No 2: The situation in Burundi
8










10.

Report on the Youth Conference
8










11.

Report on the Women’s Forum
9




MINUTES OF THE SITTING OF TUESDAY, 20 JUNE 2017


(The sitting opened at 9.10)

IN THE CHAIR: Mémounatou IBRAHIMA

Acting Co-President

1.   Urgent topic No 1: The security situation in the Sahelo-Saharan region

Speakers: Joaquin Tasso-Vilallonga (EEAS), Alpha Ousmane (Burkina Faso), Frank Engel, Joseph Hyacinthe Owona Kono (Cameroon), Maria Arena, Maria Lidia Senra Rodríguez, Worlea Saywah Dunnah (Liberia), Bodil Valero, Ahamada Soukouna (Mali), Amadou Dioffo (Niger), Michael Gahler, Pally Iriase (Nigeria), Halifa Sallah (The Gambia), Adjedoue Weidou (Chad), Tadeusz Zwiefka and Cécile Kashetu Kyenge.
Most Members stressed that tackling the security crisis in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions required both short-term and longer term measures, and should be based on a comprehensive and coordinated approach, combining reinforced counter-terrorism measures with sustained diplomatic and political attention, while addressing acute humanitarian needs. Tackling root causes required enhanced long-term cooperation based on the development effectiveness principles with a focus on local ownership. Several members called on the EU and the international community to support the G5 Sahel cooperation framework created in December 2014 by Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, while recognising the support that had already been put forward by Europe and the international community. Underdevelopment and climate change, together with weak governance and human rights abuses, had fuelled conflicts which were now further undermining the region’s economies, development and stability. Several Members also highlighted the problems of the trafficking of arms, drugs and people, and deplored the loss of human life through terrorism and conflict.
2.   
The financing of political parties in ACP and EU countries
Committee on Political Affairs
Co-rapporteurs: Worlea Saywah Dunnah (Liberia) and Cécile Kashetu Kyenge
Cécile Kashetu Kyenge and Worlea Saywah Dunnah (Liberia) presented the report, highlighting the important role of political parties in mediating between the people and those in power and advocating the establishment of sound and sustainable financing.
Speakers: Alpha Ousmane (Burkina Faso), Tadeusz Zwiefka, Spès-Caritas Njebarikanuye (Burundi), Mohamed Youssouf Goumaneh (Djibouti), Abadula Gemeda Dago (Ethiopia), Louis Michel, Thomazeau Price Cyprien (Haiti), Bodil Valero, Uladi Mussa (Malawi), Isabella Adinolfi, Dariusz Rosati, Carlos Zorrinho, Clifford Andre (Seychelles), Derek Vaughan, Babiker Mohamed Tom Bakhit (Sudan), Marlene Mizzi, Andre Misiekaba (Suriname), Jo Leinen, Adjedoue Weidou (Chad) and Jacob Oulanyah (Uganda).
Most Members agreed that political parties are an essential component of the democratic process and that membership contributions alone are not sufficient to cover their functioning. Many different approaches were applied in the different ACP and EU countries to achieve a level playing field and ensure fair competition for access to power. Whether public or private contributions were allowed appeared to be less important than the establishment of clear and transparent rules, clear criteria, and full transparency and public disclosure of accounts, lists of donors and their contacts with the supported political parties. This should go hand in hand with an effective and independent control and sanction system.
Worlea Saywah Dunnah (Liberia) and Cécile Kashetu Kyenge wound up the debate.
3.   
The role of sport as enabler for education and poverty eradication
Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment
Co-rapporteurs: Abderrahmane Marrakchy (Mauritania) and Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio
Abderrahmane Marrakchy (Mauritania) and Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio presented the report, underlining the fact that sport has huge potential in development, peace and intercultural dialogue. They also pointed out the importance of physical activity in the teaching of values such as team spirit, equality, discipline, resilience, inclusion, responsibility, perseverance and respect.
Speakers: Alpha Ousmane (Burkina Faso), Jean Bosco Muhungu (Burundi), Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Agnima Alain-Michel Lobognon (Côte d’Ivoire), Eleni Theocharous, Musa Hussein Naib (Eritrea), Catherine Bearder, Semira Sultan Abdulkadir (Ethiopia), Maria Lidia Senra Rodríguez, Thomazeau Price Cyprien (Haiti), Worlea Saywah Dunnah (Liberia), Krzysztof Hetman, Hermann Razafindravelo (Madagascar), Norbert Neuser, Derek Vaughan, Domenico Rosa (Commission) and Julie Ward.
Members called for the inclusion of physical education programmes in schools and agreed that big sporting events, if organised and monitored appropriately, could contribute to promoting the image of the host country on the world stage, as well as to the creation of stable and well-paid jobs. The importance of exchanges of athletes and trainers between the ACP and EU countries was stressed. Women and girls’ participation had to be encouraged.
Abderrahmane Marrakchy (Mauritania) and Teresa Jimenez-Becerril Barrio wound up the debate.
4.   
Risk of the emergence of the most severe famine and humanitarian crisis in history
Debate with Christos Stylianides, Member of the European Commission with responsibility for humanitarian aid and crisis management
Christos Stylianides, Member of the European Commission with responsibility for humanitarian aid and crisis management, presented an overview of the situation in Yemen, Somalia, north-east Nigeria and South Sudan, and mentioned the risk of the crisis reaching other areas. He stressed the importance of the ACP-EU JPA, international cooperation, dialogue between countries and partnerships established between regional institutions for solving problems of this nature. While each humanitarian crisis was specific, there was nevertheless one factor common to all: the decisive role of man in triggering these crises was alas a constant. He also stressed the importance of financial support from the European Union, which accounted for around 27 % of global humanitarian aid.
Speakers: Jean Bosco Muhungu (Burundi), Bogdan Brunon Wenta, Abadula Gemeda Dago (Ethiopia), Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Mohamed Youssouf Goumaneh (Djibouti), Eleni Theocharous, Worlea Saywah Dunnah (Liberia), Catherine Bearder, Maria Lidia Senra Rodríguez, Maria Heubuch, Anna Záborská, Carlos Zorrinho, Željana Zovko, Enrique Guerrero Salom, Frank Engel, Julie Ward, Joachim Zeller and Halifa Sallah (The Gambia).
Some Members testified to the critical situations in their countries or the threats which their countries could face. Members stressed the causes: climate change, bad governance, and the connection between the humanitarian crisis and conflicts. They called for the international community, and the European Union in particular, to make concerted efforts and take urgent, robust action, with close cooperation between all the relevant actors and donors. Many Members stressed the need to strengthen the resilience of countries and populations affected by the tragic famine.
Christos Stylianides responded to questions and wound up the debate.
(The sitting adjourned at 13.18 and resumed at 15.12)

IN THE CHAIR: Louis MICHEL

Co-President

5.   Adoption of agenda

The agenda was adopted as shown in these minutes.
6.   
Impunity for crimes against humanity
Keynote debate with Sidiki Kaba, President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Sidiki Kaba, President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), stressed the importance of preventing impunity in order to strengthen the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens, and explained why many countries worldwide, including many African countries, had supported the setting up of the ICC. The Court had a preventive and a deterrent role, as did penal law in general.
Speakers: Alpha Ousmane (Burkina Faso), Željana Zovko, Zénon Ndaruvukanye (Burundi), Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Oumouri Mmadi Hassani (Comoros), Eleni Theocharous, Agnima Alain-Michel Lobognon (Côte d’Ivoire), Louis Michel, Halifa Sallah (The Gambia), Neoklis Sylikiotis, Thomazeau Price Cyprien (Haiti), Veikko Nekundi (Namibia), Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Clifford Andre (Seychelles), Jo Leinen, Phel Parkies (South Africa), Arne Gericke, Babiker Mohamed Tom Bakhit (Sudan), Michael Gahler, Jacob Oulanyah (Uganda), Arne Lietz, Daniel K. Shumba (Zimbabwe) and Joaquin Tasso Vilallonga (EEAS).
Many Members supported the view that impunity not only shows contempt for the victims of crimes against humanity but also serves to perpetuate unaccountable and undemocratic governance, and may encourage irresponsible rulers to stoke conflicts within and among countries. The presentation also triggered strong reactions and accusations against the ICC of partiality and a failure to address human rights abuses perpetrated by Western/white supremacy powers. However, many Members agreed that while international justice was far from perfect, it represented the best hope for putting an end to impunity and addressing crimes such as genocide when national judiciaries fail to do so. Members also stressed that ratifying the Rome Statute was and remained a sovereign decision of the states.
Sidiki Kaba responded to questions from the floor and wound up the debate.
7.   Approval of the minutes of Monday, 19 June 2017

The minutes were approved.
8.   
Improving aid and development effectiveness in EU-ACP cooperation
Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade
Co-rapporteurs: Sebastian C. Kopulande (Zambia) and Neoklis Sylikiotis
Sebastian C. Kopulande (Zambia) and Neoklis Sylikiotis presented the report, underlining the fact that development aid should preferably be administered in the form of grants and not loans, should be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, and should respond to the needs of the recipient countries.
Speakers: György Hölvényi, Zénon Ndaruvukanye (Burundi), Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Arne Gericke, Abadula Gemeda Dago (Ethiopia), Nathalie Griesbeck, Halifa Sallah (The Gambia), Michel Kamano (Guinea), Abdikadir Omar Aden (Kenya), Joachim Zeller, Maria Arena, Maurice Ponga, Pedro Silva Pereira, Clifford Andre (Seychelles), Andre Misiekaba (Suriname), Adjedoue Weidou (Chad) and Domenico Rosa (European Commission).
Members noted that countries should strive to become independent from aid as soon as possible and that while aid could foster development, other factors were equally or more important, including sound policies, responsible governance and resource management, as well as international, external factors such as trade relations or the fight against illicit financial flows.
The failure on the part of many EU Member States to honour their commitment to devote 0,7 % of their GNI to development aid was criticised. Other Members pointed out that the EU and its Member States were nevertheless the world’s largest donor. Aid should be targeted primarily at sectors that are conducive to growth and competitiveness. Members voiced divergent views on whether development aid could be made conditional to cooperation on migration management and whether development funding could be used to improve security.
Sebastian C. Kopulande (Zambia) and Neoklis Sylikiotis wound up the debate.
9.   Urgent topic No 2: The situation in Burundi

Speakers: Joaquin Tasso Vilallonga (EEAS), Joachim Zeller, Gabriel Ntisezerana (Burundi), Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Musa Hussein Naib (Eritrea), Halifa Sallah (The Gambia), Bodil Valero, Abdikadir Omar Aden (Kenya), Phel Parkies (South Africa), Frank Engel, Maria Arena, Krzysztof Hetman, Fitz Jackson (Jamaica), David Martin, Maurice Ponga. Joaquin Tasso Vilallonga (EEAS) and Gabriel Ntisezerana (Burundi).
Many Members agreed that the situation in Burundi was a cause for concern, while the representative of Burundi stated at length that the situation was improving. Several Members expressed regret that no agreement on a compromise resolution had been reached. The controversial opinions expressed on freezing development aid were also discussed.
ACP and EP Members praised the efforts of neighbouring countries in providing assistance and shelter for Burundian refugees. Several condemned ethnic divisions, a lack of respect for fundamental rights and the intimidation of opposition groups and the media. Some Members called for the dispatch of a fact-finding mission to Burundi, while others opined that the extensive reporting by international organisations present in Burundi rendered such a mission redundant.
10.   Report on the Youth Conference

Bora Kamwanya, ACP Young Professional Network, who was given the floor exceptionally with the agreement of the Assembly, and Youssouf Goumaneh (Djibouti) gave a report and praised the initiative as a way of improving the interest and participation of young people in ACP-EU cooperation. Issues raised included: enhanced access to mobility for young people from ACP countries in the form of traineeships, climate change education and the prospects of young farmers in ACP countries.
Speakers: Arne Lietz and Halifa Sallah (The Gambia).
11.   Report on the Women’s Forum

Maria Arena informed the Assembly that the theme of the Forum had been ‘Gender in Migration’, and that it had highlighted the needs of migrant women who often faced violence, discrimination and a lack of economic opportunities.
Speakers: Halifa Sallah (The Gambia).

(The sitting closed at 19.21)



Mémounatou IBRAHIMA(Acting)

Louis MICHEL

Co-Presidents



Patrick I. GOMES
For items 7 to 11 replaced by
Léonard-Emile OGNIMBA(Acting)

Luis Marco AGUIRIANO NALDA
For items 1 to 4 replaced by
Ciril STOKELJ (Acting)

Co-Secretaries-General