European Parliament
-1/2 February: Mini-plenary of the European Parliament (Brussels)
Council of Ministers
-30 January: Foreign Affairs Council
-31 January: General Affairs Council  
-1/2 February: Coreper II
-3 February: Coreper I
EU Presidency
- 2/3 February: “Conference on future meat inspection”.

You can also read our newspaper “CTA Brussels Daily” (fed by our Twitter account), follow our new Facebook group CTABrussels and our Twitter account CTABrussels to receive up-to-date information on EU-ACP events.

The next Brussels Development Briefing will take place on the 22 February 2012 and will be organised in partnership with the African Union Commission, the European Commission (DG DEVCO) the ACP Secretariat, Concord and various media partners.
The Briefing will provide an overview of the main challenges affecting the pastoralists, especially in the ACP countries, and the opportunities provided by existing continental and regional policy frameworks and processes. It will then focus on sharing good practices and experiences from the field across regions. We will also identify what urgent and concrete policy actions need to be in place to increase support pastoralism.
The Briefing will be fully webstreamed in English and French. To see the programme (revised) to register for the Briefing and to follow the webstream on22 February (from 8h30 a.m. to13.00 p.m. CET) please visit brusselsbriefings.

The European Commission recommends a greater focus in trade and investment policies in favour of countries most in need. According to this, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht  has recently stated: "The rise of emerging economies like India, China and Brazil shows that trade-driven development is possible and that open markets can play a major role in generating growth. Yet those trailing behind need help".

The priorities of Denmark's Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers has been presented to European Parliament committees by Danish ministers this week. According to Trade and Investment Minister Pia Olsen Dyhr, the EU's international trade policy, should focus on achieving immediate export and investment gains, rather than on long-term and strategic projects such as the WTO Doha negotiations.

According to Bill Gates "Europe's role will shape global action, what happens to people in need." Gates, who recently met the Parliament´s Development Committee, recognises the European´s commitment to development aid. In spite of the European economic crisis and its effects, he remains hopeful of continued European support: “[...]it is critical that you continue your leadership and we continue working together and caring for each other”.