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"id": 227326,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Kamotho",
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"legal_name": "Joseph John Kamotho",
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"content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the assembly normally meets prior to the commencement of each JPA to consider the issues to be discussed, both in plenary and committees and adopt common ACP positions ahead of the joint sessions. Unlike the JPA, the ACP Assembly meets four times a year, namely, twice during the JPA Plenary and twice during the JPA Committee sessions. After formalising the assembly, ACP can hold independent meetings before the JPA meeting. But because of the resources constraints, ACP is unable to do that. Turning to the 12th JPA Session, I wish to state that the following important topics were discussed. First, the situation in East Africa, which is very well explained in the Report. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the discussions in this regard focused on Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Northern Uganda. Issues of concern centred around conflicts in these countries, but no resolution could be arrived at on the matter. So, the issue will continue to be discussed until, maybe, a resolution is reached. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the second issue was the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The assembly welcomed the first Presidential and legislative elections held in the country in over 40 years, albeit noting that the country remains volatile. It was agreed that a letter be written by the JPA President to the President elect, His Excellency Joseph Kabila and the outgoing Vice-President, Jean-Pierre Bemba, asking them to respect the election results. In the third issue, the assembly examined reports of committees where topics on key issues affecting the member States were discussed, which included the report on the impact of tourism on ACP countries. With regard to development in the ACP countries, Members urged that principles of sustainable tourism and good governance be systematically and coherently taken into account 498 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 10, 2007 when drawing up the European Union's and ACP member States' development policy. Another report was that on small arms, light weapons and sustainable development. In debating the report, the JPA urged the international community to negotiate an international arm trade treaty within the United Nations in order to establish a legally binding instrument to decrease the supply of small arms and light weapons by all producers. Members also discussed a report on water in developing countries, during which it was stressed that non-discriminatory access to water is a human rights issue and that the Millennium Development Goals on water should be a priority to the international community. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the fourth issue was on the review of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) negotiations. The Assembly deliberated on the review of the economic partnership agreements but no compromise could be reached on the on-going negotiations. It was the view of the ACP states that the negotiations should have clear development aspects, and that focus should be on building market capacity before market access, as desired by the European Union (EU). Concern was raised by ACP states that if the EPAs are applied as they are, they will adversely affect some of the ACP countries."
}