A Member of Parliament for Mahobong, Mr. Mothejoa Metsing will represent the Lesotho National Assembly at the 5th session of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) and European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly to be held in Brussels, Belgium, from November 25 to28, 2002.

In an interview with LENA, the Economic Planner in the department of Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Development Planning, Mr. Matooa Rammoneng who will be accompanying Mr. Metsing to the assembly, said the purpose of the assembly is for the Members of Parliament from the ACP countries to discuss resolutions made during the last ACP/EU Assembly of council of Ministers in order to ensure that both the parliaments and governments of the ACP are operating towards a common goal in each country.

Mr. Rammoneng indicated that issues to be discussed at the meeting will include matters of development cooperation between ACP countries and the EU, subjects relating to economic situations in different countries, partnership agreements relating to the International Criminal Court, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD, and the 2002 World summit on Sustainable Development.

Prior to the assembly there will be a preparatory meeting for the assembly which will among others arrange the agenda for the assembly. The Lesotho delegation will take part at this meeting which will start on November 21 until the assembly commences. The delegation is expected to leave the country on November 20, 2002.

30 October, 2002