European Parliament
-21/24 May: Plenary session (Strasbourg)
-21 & 24 May: Committee on Foreign Affairs
-21 May: Committee on Fisheries
Council of Ministers
-23 May: Coreper I
-23 May: Coreper II
ACP Group
-21 May: Consultations on the Pan-African Road Map on Cotton
-21 May: Stakeholders’ Workshop on the UNDP-sponsored on Future Perspectives of the ACP Group
-21 May:  6th meeting on ACP-EU Dialogue on Migration
-22 May: Meeting of Brussels-and Geneva-Based representatives of ACP Cotton-Producing Countries
-22 May: 17th Meeting of the COS-Coton
-23/30 May : Joint ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly (Horsens, Danemark)
Research Events
-21/24 May: Customs 2013 Workshop – The role of Customs in Environmental Protection (Rønne, Denmark)

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.

Although Uganda is often considered a mainly agricultural country, its recent performance has been assessed as being “disappointing”. According to an article by New vision, a lack of financing in the sector is resulting in the country's not being able to reach its full potential and become a major agricultural power in East Africa. Experts point to investment in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as being beneficial  for farmers. Likewise, greater public spending in the sector and clearer policies could lead to a very noticeable improvement.

Once more, tensions in Africa and China’s engagement in the continent, oblige the EU to re-evaluate its foreign policy. The Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) urged the EU to take action on the crises in West, Central and East Africa, particularly regarding the tensions between Sudan and South Sudan. AFET MEPs underlined China's role in Sudan – South Sudan relations, as the country  has been very active in the region.  Highlighting that the EU has been dragging its feet with regards to helping resolve the conflict, MEP Mario Mauro has asked the committee : “What is the EU's role here?”

In light of Europe Day, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands,  Gordon Darcy Lilo, extended his congratulations. Recalling the EU’s role as a “development driver”, he stressed that the EU would remain a key partner. He also noted that through Cotonou’s provisions  the Solomons receive substantial assistance in crucial areas of development, such as agriculture or climate change.

Following discussions held in March 2012, agriculture ministers re-visited the environmental aspects of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), in view of its upcoming reform. In particular, delegations exchanged views on possible ways to encourage farmers in Europe to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. Potential greening measures that were put forward focused on an increase in crop diversity; the creation and maintenance of permanent pastures; and the preservation of natural areas.