EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2009 - 2014

Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union

DMAG_PV(2012)0125_1

MINUTES of the meeting of 25 January 2012, from 15.00 to 16.00 Brussels

The meeting opened at 15.15 on Wednesday, 25 January 2012, with Pier Antonio Panzeri (Chair) in the chair.

1. Adoption of draft agenda (PE 471.548)

The agenda was adopted.

2. Approval of draft minutes of meeting of 20 December 2011 (PE 476.397)

The minutes were approved.

3. Chair’s announcements

The Chair announced that the next EP- Interparliamentary meeting would be held on 20-24 February 2012 in Mauritania. This meeting will be a preparatory meeting for the mission.

4. Exchange of views on the existing political situation and reform process in Mauritania

As Mr Sean Doyle was not available Mr Vincent Ringenberg, Desk Officer for Mauritania, the European External Action Service (EEAS), gave information about the current political and security situation in Mauritania and EU cooperation with Mauritania. He mentioned that after many years of instability and repeated coup d'états the political situation in Mauritania seems to be gradually settling down. However, the situation still continues to be fragile due to unsettled issues, particularly regarding the National Inclusive Dialogue indicated in the 2009 Dakar Agreement. 28 months after the Agreement, the dialogue finally took place in September and October 2011. While the major opposition parties boycotted the Dialogue, only two opposition parties joined the dialogue discussions.

PV\886477EN.doc PE471.549v01-00

EN United in diversity EN One of the important positive points coming out of the Dialogue, is to set up a standing national independent election committee (CENI), which will be made up of 7 people on whom both the majority and the opposition would agree. The Committee will be responsible for organizing, controlling and monitoring the elections. The number of the seats in the National Assembly will rise from 95 to 146 and there will be better representation of women in the National Assembly with the introduction of a national list of 20 seats reserved for women. Concerning audiovisual issues, there will be fairer share of airtime given to the opposition and the majority. Constitution is recommended to include an article criminalizing unconstitutional changes (coup d'état) and banning army staff from getting involved in any kind of political activity. The Prime Minister will be accountable to the National Assembly, and his program will be submitted to the National Assembly for a vote of confidence.

While the major opposition parties boycotted the Dialogue, only two opposition parties joined the dialogue discussions. The EU deems the results of the Dialogue to be a positive step in the right direction. However, the main challenge is whether these decisions will be implemented.

The municipal and legislative elections were initially scheduled to take place in October 2011 but later postponed due to disagreement between opposition and majority parties. Although according to the Mauritania Constitution the deadline for the elections is May 2012, the date of the elections is not certain yet as it obviously depends on when the independent election committee starts to work, and on when the necessary conditions are in place. Nevertheless elections are foreseen to take place in late March or early April.

Regarding human rights and fundamental freedoms, there is a severe need for reform in the justice system which Mauritanian high authorities also admit. There are still cases of slavery, arbitrary arrests and discrimination against black African people. Recently there is a fierce tension between the Arab and black African communities due to the 'enrôlment' issue. 'Enrôlment' aims to register the Mauritanian citizens and provide them with reliable identification documents. The process is harshly criticized by many due to its discriminatory application and administrative obstacles, which prevents considerable parts of society, particularly black Africans, to get Mauritanian IDs and place themselves on the electoral list.

Mauritania is one of the three countries (Mali and Niger) to which the EU gives extra funds (€8.4 mil) to fight terrorism in the framework of the EU Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel. An area of particular emphasis for the use of these extra funds will be youth unemployment in order to prevent the radicalization of youths and support local development. Mauritania is the first country in the region to have a multi-dimensional strategy to fight against terrorism. Mr Ringenberg stressed that they apply an effective "carrot and stick" strategy in dealing with terrorist groups; while on the one hand they are applying tough security policies against terrorist groups, on the other they try to enter into dialogue with certain religious authorities related to this groups.

The Fisheries Agreement with Mauritania (€205 million funding to Mauritania) will be finished in June 2012. The negotiations to renew the agreement have currently reached a standstill after 5 rounds of negotiations. Mr Preda asked if the negotiations are in any manner affected by the failure in fishery negotiations with . Mr Rinsenberg mentioned that negotiations have settled all the technical issues but remain stuck on the amount of funds to be provided to Mauritania. He underlined the fact that the agreement is in the interest of both EU and Mauritania industries, while Mauritania does not have an alternative plan to substitute this funding.

PE471.549v01-00 2/8 PV\886477EN.doc EN In the past year, illegal migration from Mauritania has significantly decreased, partly due the economic crises in Europe and partly thanks to the improved coordination between the Spanish, Moroccan and Mauritanian police authorities.

Mr Ridwane Abdul Rahman, International Aid/Cooperation Officer for Mauritania, DEVCO, European Commission, gave some brief information about the 10th European Development Fund (EFD) for Mauritania. He mentioned that the EU is the second aid partner to Mauritania after the World Bank. Among the member states, , Germany and Spain finance several development projects in the country. Mauritania's National Indicative Program under the 10th EDF has an envelope of 168 million Euros. The envelope consist of 2 focal sectors: regional integration and transport (57 mil) and governance (23,4 mil); as well as budget support (40 mil) and support to non-focal sectors (41 mil). Mauritania has also recently received an allocation of €11 million as part the MDC initiative to improve access to drinking water and sanitation in 5 provinces. One component of the EDF projects aims to support the Mauritanian National Assembly (€450.000). Technical details of this project are currently being finalized with the implementation partner, UNDP.

Mr Rahman mentioned that political instabilities since the coup d'état in 2008 and the EU's subsequent freezing of the EDF Program for 1,5 year as well as the low level of ownership and low absorption capacity of the Mauritanian authorities delayed the implementation and formulation of new projects. He underlined that Mauritanian authorities are asking for more funding but have not yet been able to use the already existing funds given under the EDF program. Mauritanian authorities should show more effort in expediting the commitments of the remaining 10th EDF funds with a special focus on improving governance and the management of the public finances.

Mr Panzeri and Mr Preda raised concerns about the delay in the project related to the support for the Mauritanian National Assembly. They emphasized the need to progress in this project. They mentioned that the EP promised to give support to the National Assembly, failing to live up to this promise will put the EP's credibility at stake. Concerning this, Mr Abdul Rahman mentioned that the project is waiting for the next elections to take place, as there will be some changes in the Assembly due to the new constitutional arrangements . Moreover, as part of EDF procedures, the national authorising body, which is currently the Ministry of Economics and Development, has to come up with a formal request for proceeding with the identification of the project.

MEPs emphasized the need to involve Morocco in the Sahel Strategy and more cooperation with Nigeria on this issue. Mr Ringenberg mentioned that while the Sahel Strategy has started with three countries it is not limited to them. The EU will open up the Strategy to other countries such Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Morocco if they request so.

The representative from the Mauritanian Embassy, Mr Tandia Mohamedou, stressed that the opposition is still very conservative with regard to the National Inclusive Dialogue and 2012 is going to be a difficult year in Mauritania because of the deteriorating economic situation and the high poverty level in rural areas.

5.Any other business

None.

6.Date and place of next meeting PV\886477EN.doc 3/8 PE471.549v01-00 EN The next DMAG meeting will be held on 27 March 2011.

Joint Parliamentary Meeting with Morocco will be held alongside the Plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean which will take place in Rabat towards the end of March.

According to the 2012 Calendar of Activities, the IPM was to be held on 2-5 April in Libya. However, since the Libyan elections are not likely to be held before the summer, there will be a swap between the dates of the Libya and Tunisia IPMs to be held during this year.

The meeting closed at 16h05.

PE471.549v01-00 4/8 PV\886477EN.doc EN ПРИСЪСТВЕН ЛИСТ/LISTA DE ASISTENCIA/PREZENČNÍ LISTINA/DELTAGERLISTE/ ANWESENHEITSLISTE/KOHALOLIJATE NIMEKIRI/ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ ΠΑΡΟΝΤΩΝ/RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/ LISTE DE PRÉSENCE/ELENCO DI PRESENZA/APMEKLĒJUMU REĢISTRS/DALYVIŲ SĄRAŠAS/JELENLÉTI ÍV/ REĠISTRU TA' ATTENDENZA/PRESENTIELIJST/LISTA OBECNOŚCI/LISTA DE PRESENÇAS/LISTĂ DE PREZENŢĂ/ PREZENČNÁ LISTINA/SEZNAM NAVZOČIH/LÄSNÄOLOLISTA/DELTAGARLISTA

Бюро/Mesa/Předsednictvo/Formandskabet/Vorstand/Juhatus/Προεδρείο/Bureau/Ufficio di presidenza/Prezidijs/Biuras/Elnökség/ Prezydium/Birou/Predsedníctvo/Predsedstvo/Puheenjohtajisto/Presidiet (*)

Pier Antonio Panzeri, Paul Rübig.

Членове/Diputados/Poslanci/Medlemmer/Mitglieder/Parlamendiliikmed/Μέλη/Members/Députés/Deputati/Deputāti/Nariai/Képviselõk/ Membri/Leden/Posłowie/Deputados/Deputaţi/Jäsenet/Ledamöter

Cristian Dan Preda.

Заместници/Suplentes/Náhradníci/Stedfortrædere/Stellvertreter/Asendusliikmed/Αναπληρωτές/Substitutes/Suppléants/Supplenti/ Aizstājēji/Pavaduojantys nariai/Póttagok/Sostituti/Plaatsvervangers/Zastępcy/Membros suplentes/Supleanţi/Náhradníci/Namestniki/ Varajäsenet/Suppleanter

187 (2)

193 (3)

49 (6) (Точка от дневния ред/Punto del orden del día/Bod pořadu jednání (OJ)/Punkt på dagsordenen/Tagesordnungspunkt/Päevakorra punkt/Ημερήσια Διάταξη Σημείο/Agenda item/Point OJ/Punto all'ordine del giorno/Darba kārtības punkts/Darbotvarkės punktas/ Napirendi pont/Punt fuq l-aġenda/Agendapunt/Punkt porządku dziennego/Ponto OD/Punct de pe ordinea de zi/Bod programu schôdze/ Točka UL/Esityslistan kohta/Föredragningslista punkt)

Наблюдатели/Observadores/Pozorovatelé/Observatører/Beobachter/Vaatlejad/Παρατηρητές/Observers/Observateurs/Osservatori/ Novērotāji/Stebėtojai/Megfigyelők/Osservaturi/Waarnemers/Obserwatorzy/Observadores/Observatori/Pozorovatelia/Opazovalci/ Tarkkailijat/Observatörer

PV\886477EN.doc 5/8 PE471.549v01-00 EN По покана на председателя/Por invitación del presidente/Na pozvání předsedy/Efter indbydelse fra formanden/Auf Einladung des Vorsitzenden/Esimehe kutsel/Με πρόσκληση του Προέδρου/At the invitation of the Chair(wo)man/Sur l'invitation du président/ Su invito del presidente/Pēc priekšsēdētāja uzaicinājuma/Pirmininkui pakvietus/Az elnök meghívására/Fuq stedina tal-President/ Op uitnodiging van de voorzitter/Na zaproszenie Przewodniczącego/A convite do Presidente/La invitaţia preşedintelui/Na pozvanie predsedu/Na povabilo predsednika/Puheenjohtajan kutsusta/På ordförandens inbjudan

Съвет/Consejo/Rada/Rådet/Rat/Nõukogu/Συμβούλιο/Council/Conseil/Consiglio/Padome/Taryba/Tanács/Kunsill/Raad/Conselho/ Consiliu/Svet/Neuvosto/Rådet (*)

Комисия/Comisión/Komise/Kommissionen/Kommission/Euroopa Komisjon/Επιτροπή/Commission/Commissione/Komisija/Bizottság/ Kummissjoni/Commissie/Komisja/Comissão/Comisie/Komisia/Komissio/Kommissionen (*)

Европейска служба за външна дейност/Evropská služba pro vnější činnost/EU-Udenrigstjenesten/Europäischer Auswärtiger Dienst/Euroopa välisteenistus/Ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Εξωτερικής Δράσης/European External Action service/Servicio Europeo de Acción Exterior/Service européen pour l'action extérieure/Servizio europeo per l’azione esterna/Eiropas Ārējās darbības dienests/Europos išorės veiksmų tarnyba/Európai Külügyi Szolgálat/Servizz Ewropew għall-Azzjoni Esterna/Europese dienst voor extern optreden/Europejska Służba Działań Zewnętrznych/Serviço Europeu para a Acção Externa/Serviciul european pentru acţiune externă/Európska služba pre vonkajšiu činnosť/Evropska služba za zunanje delovanje/Euroopan ulkosuhdehallinto/Europeiska avdelningen för yttre åtgärd (*)

Riccardo Mosca.

Други институции/Otras instituciones/Ostatní orgány a instituce/Andre institutioner/Andere Organe/Muud institutsioonid/ Άλλα θεσμικά όργανα/Other institutions/Autres institutions/Altre istituzioni/Citas iestādes/Kitos institucijos/Más intézmények/ Istituzzjonijiet oħra/Andere instellingen/Inne instytucje/Outras Instituições/Alte instituţii/Iné inštitúcie/Druge institucije/Muut toimielimet/Andra institutioner/organ

PE471.549v01-00 6/8 PV\886477EN.doc EN Други участници/Otros participantes/Ostatní účastníci/Endvidere deltog/Andere Teilnehmer/Muud osalejad/Επίσης Παρόντες/Other participants/Autres participants/Altri partecipanti/Citi klātesošie/Kiti dalyviai/Más résztvevők/Parteċipanti oħra/Andere aanwezigen/ Inni uczestnicy/Outros participantes/Alţi participanţi/Iní účastníci/Drugi udeleženci/Muut osallistujat/Övriga deltagare

Olga Zykova (Mission Russie), M. Agouzal (journaliste).

Секретариат на политическите групи/Secretaría de los Grupos políticos/Sekretariát politických skupin/Gruppernes sekretariat/ Sekretariat der Fraktionen/Fraktsioonide sekretariaat/Γραμματεία των Πολιτικών Ομάδων/Secretariats of political groups/Secrétariat des groupes politiques/Segreteria gruppi politici/Politisko grupu sekretariāts/Frakcijų sekretoriai/Képviselőcsoportok titkársága/Segretarjat gruppi politiċi/Fractiesecretariaten/Sekretariat Grup Politycznych/Secr. dos grupos políticos/Secretariate grupuri politice/Sekretariát politických skupín/Sekretariat političnih skupin/Poliittisten ryhmien sihteeristöt/Gruppernas sekretariat

PPE Thierry Masson S&D ALDE ECR Verts/ALE Aicha Ayari GUE/NGL EFD NI

Кабинет на председателя/Gabinete del Presidente/Kancelář předsedy/Formandens Kabinet/Kabinett des Präsidenten/Presidendi kantselei/Γραφείο Προέδρου/President's Office/Cabinet du Président/Gabinetto del Presidente/Priekšsēdētāja kabinets/Pirmininko kabinetas/Elnöki hivatal/Kabinett tal-President/Kabinet van de Voorzitter/Gabinet Przewodniczącego/Gabinete do Presidente/ Cabinet Preşedinte/Kancelária predsedu/Urad predsednika/Puhemiehen kabinetti/Talmannens kansli

Кабинет на генералния секретар/Gabinete del Secretario General/Kancelář generálního tajemníka/Generalsekretærens Kabinet/ Kabinett des Generalsekretärs/Peasekretäri büroo/Γραφείο Γενικού Γραμματέα/Secretary-General's Office/Cabinet du Secrétaire général/Gabinetto del Segretario generale/Ģenerālsekretāra kabinets/Generalinio sekretoriaus kabinetas/Főtitkári hivatal/Kabinett tas- Segretarju Ġenerali/Kabinet van de secretaris-generaal/Gabinet Sekretarza Generalnego/Gabinete do Secretário-Geral/Cabinet Secretar General/Kancelária generálneho tajomníka/Urad generalnega sekretarja/Pääsihteerin kabinetti/Generalsekreterarens kansli

PV\886477EN.doc 7/8 PE471.549v01-00 EN Генерална дирекция/Dirección General/Generální ředitelství/Generaldirektorat/Generaldirektion/Peadirektoraat/Γενική Διεύθυνση/ Directorate-General/Direction générale/Direzione generale/Ģenerāldirektorāts/Generalinis direktoratas/Főigazgatóság/Direttorat Ġenerali/Directoraten-generaal/Dyrekcja Generalna/Direcção-Geral/Direcţii Generale/Generálne riaditeľstvo/Generalni direktorat/ Pääosasto/Generaldirektorat

DG PRES DG IPOL DG EXPO Christian Meseth (OPPD), Pekka Hakala (Policy Dpt), Valérie Ramet (Policy Dpt). DG COMM DG PERS DG INLO DG TRAD DG INTE DG FINS DG ITEC Правна служба/Servicio Jurídico/Právní služba/Juridisk Tjeneste/Juristischer Dienst/Õigusteenistus/Νομική Υπηρεσία/Legal Service/ Service juridique/Servizio giuridico/Juridiskais dienests/Teisės tarnyba/Jogi szolgálat/Servizz legali/Juridische Dienst/Wydział prawny/ Serviço Jurídico/Serviciu Juridic/Právny servis/Pravna služba/Oikeudellinen yksikkö/Rättstjänsten

Секретариат на комисията/Secretaría de la comisión/Sekretariát výboru/Udvalgssekretariatet/Ausschusssekretariat/Komisjoni sekretariaat/Γραμματεία επιτροπής/Committee secretariat/Secrétariat de la commission/Segreteria della commissione/Komitejas sekretariāts/Komiteto sekretoriatas/A bizottság titkársága/Segretarjat tal-kumitat/Commissiesecretariaat/Sekretariat komisji/ Secretariado da comissão/Secretariat comisie/Sekretariat odbora/Valiokunnan sihteeristö/Utskottssekretariatet

Aydan Bahadir.

Сътрудник/Asistente/Asistent/Assistent/Assistenz/Βοηθός/Assistant/Assistente/Palīgs/Padėjėjas/Asszisztens/Asystent/Pomočnik/ Avustaja/Assistenter

Nicole Devos.

* (P) = Председател/Presidente/Předseda/Formand/Vorsitzender/Esimees/Πρόεδρος/Chair(wo)man/Président/Priekšsēdētājs/Pirmininkas/ Elnök/President/Voorzitter/Przewodniczący/Preşedinte/Predseda/Predsednik/Puheenjohtaja/Ordförande (VP) = Заместник-председател/Vicepresidente/Místopředseda/Næstformand/Stellvertretender Vorsitzender/Aseesimees/Αντιπρόεδρος/ Vice-Chair(wo)man/Vice-Président/Priekšsēdētāja vietnieks/Pirmininko pavaduotojas/Alelnök/Viċi President/Ondervoorzitter/ Wiceprzewodniczący/Vice-Presidente/Vicepreşedinte/Podpredseda/Podpredsednik/Varapuheenjohtaja/Vice ordförande (M) = Член/Miembro/Člen/Medlem./Mitglied/Parlamendiliige/Μέλος/Member/Membre/Membro/Deputāts/Narys/Képviselő/ Membru/Lid/Członek/Membro/Membru/Člen/Poslanec/Jäsen/Ledamot (F) = Длъжностно лице/Funcionario/Úředník/Tjenestemand/Beamter/Ametnik/Υπάλληλος/Official/Fonctionnaire/Funzionario/ Ierēdnis/Pareigūnas/Tisztviselő/Uffiċjal/Ambtenaar/Urzędnik/Funcelő/Uffiċjal/Ambtenaar/Urzędnik/Funcionário/Funcţionar/Úrad ník/Uradnik/Virkamies/Tjänsteman

PE471.549v01-00 8/8 PV\886477EN.doc EN