European Parliament (Strasbourg):
- 18-21 January: Plenary session 

EU Presidency (Brussels):
- 18 January: Council of Agriculture; Foreign Affairs Council at the level of Development experts;
- 19 January: Political and Security Committee (PSC); Preparatory meeting for the Dakar Conference 2011
- 20 January: Political and Security Committee (PSC); COREPER I; Appearance of the President of the Spanish Government before the Plenary Meeting of the European Parliament
- 21 January: Opening Conference of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

ACP Secretariat (Brussels):
- 19 January: ACP Thematic Group I
- 20 January: Caribbean & Pacific Research Study Evaluation; ACP Thematic Group III
- 21 January: Ambassadorial Session – 2nd Revision of the Cotonou Agreement
- 22 January: S/C on Sustainable development

For more information please consult the calendar on our webpage http://brussels.cta.int/

Mr. Ndiogou Fall is our guest this week. Mr. Ndiogou Fall, is chairman of the executive committee of ROPPA (Network of Farmers’ and Agricultural Producers’ Organisations of West Africa), the main regional umbrella organisation of farmers for West African region. On the occasion of his participation to the Brussels Development Briefing on food crisis in ACP countries, Mr. Fall explained the current situation of agriculture in the region of West Africa and the challenges it faces: food crisis, climate change, land grabbing, population growth, etc.

The European Commission has moved immediately to help the victims of the earthquake which struck Haiti by adopting a fast-track "primary emergency" decision of €3 million for immediate relief activities. Relief experts are on their way to Haiti to strengthen the EU's response capabilities on the ground. In addition, the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated, with its Monitoring and Information Centre coordinating the activities. Relief funds are channelled through the Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department under the responsibility of Commissioner Karel De Gucht. The Commission is already one of the largest humanitarian donors in Haiti providing around €28 million since 2008.

The Bulgarian Commissioner-designate, Rumiana Jeleva, faced a range of questions from MEPs in the Development Committee concerning issues surrounding the new International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response portfolio for which she has been proposed, and also questions regarding possible conflicts of interest in her financial affairs. Ms Jeleva said her priorities as a Commissioner would be the defence of International Humanitarian Law, better access to help for people in need, a clearer distinction between humanitarian and military roles and the security of humanitarian aid workers on the ground. According to the Commissioner-designate, especially during a time of economic crisis, the available resources must be used in the best way possible. "This is why at the cornerstone of my policy will be coordination", she said.