AUC / The nineteenth ordinary session of the PRC officially opens in Addis Ababa
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 26, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The 19th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee of (PRC) officially opened today, Monday 25 January 2010, at the Headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting started with a minute of silence in memory to the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 that crashed into the Mediterranean shortly after take- off from Beirut Airport in Lebanon.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ali Awidan, Ambassador of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and current Chairperson of the PRC, began by wishing the participants a Happy New Hear. He pointed out that the year 2009 had been a special one for the African Union Commission, saying that important meetings were held during that year in a bid to push forward the agenda of the Commission and the development of the continent. He highlighted some example such as the Special Summit on Conflict Management in Africa; the Africa-Latin America Forum, and the Special AU Summit on refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, adding that, all these meetings were aimed at bringing Africa to speak with one voice and adopt common positions on crucial issues.
Ambassador Awidan explained that these achievements are essential for the continent, especially with regard to the establishment of the United States of Africa as well as ensuring the well being of Africa people.
Speaking later, Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson the African Union Commission (AUC) reiterated his desire “to cultivate a frank and dynamic collaboration with the PRC and to establish a solid relationship through periodic meetings with the Committee of so as to involve them more in the activities of the Commission. This, Chairperson Ping said, could be done through mechanisms and good governance policies that promote transparency in all domains. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the discussions that took place earlier, with regard to the staff rules and regulation as well as the outcome of the AU budget for 2010.
With respect to the legal and institutional matters to be discussed by the PRC, Mr. Ping was delighted by the prospects of the Pelindaba Treaty of 1996 which came into effect on 15 July and 18 December 2009, respectively in relation to the free zone from nuclear weapons in Africa, as well as the Pact of Non Aggression and common defense of 2005. Other instruments such at the African Statistic Charter; the establishment of the African Investment Bank; socio-economic integration of Africa amongst others, are yet to be ratified”.
Mr. Ping seized this occasion to express on his behalf and that of the continental organization support for the victims of the earthquake that devastated Haiti and which has caused the death of over 150.000 people. He further condemned the attack in Cabinda, Angola, on the Togolese national soccer team on their way to participate to the African Cup of Nations dubbed “CAN 2010″. The Chairperson also recalled that the year 2010 is an important year for African sports as South Africa is preparing to host in June and July, the 19th edition of the FIFA World Football Cup.
The complete speech of Chairperson Ping is on the AU website: www.africa-union.org .
Journalists are invited to cover the official closing ceremony of the 19th Ordinary Session of the PRC on 26 January 2010 in the Conference Center of the AU Commission which will follow immediately after the proceedings of the meeting.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
