ACP-EU Joint Institutions

The ACP-EU Council of Ministers is composed of a representative from each ACP State and EU country and a representative from the European Commission. The office of the President of the Council of Ministers is held alternately by a member of a EU country and a member of the government of an ACP State. The Council meets once a year on the initiative of the President and whenever it seems necessary. Its mission is to:

• conduct the political dialogue;

• adopt the policy guidelines and take the decisions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Agreement, in particular as regards development strategies in the specific areas provided for by this Agreement or any other area that should prove relevant, and as regards procedures;

• examine and resolve any issue liable to impede the effective and efficient implementation of this Agreement or present an obstacle to achieving its objectives;

• ensure the smooth functioning of the consultation mechanisms.

Last meeting: 31st session of the ACP-EU Council of Ministers (01-02 June 2006)

Next meeting: 32nd session of the ACP-EU Council of Ministers: 24-25 May 2007 in Brussels

12/01/2006

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly was created out of a common desire to bring together the elected representatives of the European Community - the Members of the European Parliament - and the elected representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific states ("ACP countries") that have signed the Cotonou Agreement: it is the only institution of its kind in the world.

The presidency of the JPA is ensured by:

• Ms Glenys Kinnock (UK), EU co-President

• Mr René Radembino-Coniquet  (Gabon), ACP co-President

12/01/2006

The Committee is composed of Heads of Mission of each ACPState to the EU, permanent representative of each MemberState to the EU, and a representative of the Commission. The office of Chairman of the Committee is held alternately by a Permanent Representative of a MemberState designated by the Community, and a head of mission representing an ACPState, designated by the ACP States.

12/01/2006

The mission assigned to the CDE under the Cotonou Agreement is to contribute to poverty reduction by fostering wealth creation by lending support to the various types of operator that make up the private sector in the ACP countries; in this role it draws extensively on the capabilities of enterprises in EU countries.

12/01/2006

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) was established in 1983 under the Lomé Convention between the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) Group of States and the European Union Member States. Since 2000, CTA has operated within the framework of the ACP-EC Cotonou Agreement.

12/01/2006