European Parliament (Brussels):
-9th November: Exchange of views with Commissioner de Gucht & Hearing on FDI
-10th-11th November: Plenary session
EU Presidency  (Brussels):
-10th November: Competitiveness Council
-11th November: Economic and Financial Affairs Council
ACP Secretariat (Brussels):
-8-10 November: 92nd Session of the ACP Council of Ministers

EU's daily decision-making is facing resistance from a group of countries led by Germany and the UK, who are insisting on keeping a say on trade policy. EU diplomats are meeting in Brussels today (5 November) to discuss a Commission proposal to review the so-called 'comitology' procedure, in line with the Lisbon Treaty.

The United Kingdom would like to strengthen bilateral trade agreements with Senegal, with the aim of “opening new markets and removing obstacles for investment,” according to a press release by the UK Foreign Office.

Most Africans in rural and semi rural areas have no access to electricity, a problem particularly acute in ACP countries. Working around the problem means using traditional fuels whose smoke is both polluting and can be a health threat.

Cameroon and Germany agreed on Friday to strengthen their bilateral economic ties, at the end of their maiden three-day cooperation talks held in Douala. Taking place under the aegis of Premier Philemon Yang, the talks organized by the Club of German Friends (CAA) saw the participation of 40 German business people and their partners from the Cameroon inter-employers’ grouping (GICAM).