Politici uit de hele wereld komen bijeen in Deense stad (en)

No less than 400 international participants, including up to 160 parliamentarians, are expected in Horsens in the following week to discuss development, climate and trade.

The Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Christian Friis Bach says:

"I look forward to welcoming the many visitors from distant places. With so many politicians from African, Caribbean, Pacific and European countries gathered in Horsens, I am sure we will have useful discussions about global challenges and common solutions.

I look forward to enter into dialogue with developing countries' parliamentarians on behalf of the EU Council of Ministers and to get new ideas on how to strengthen the partnership and EU development cooperation while we focus on important issues such as human rights, food security and climate crisis effects on the poorest countries."

The largest meeting on Danish soil during the EU Presidency will take place from 23-30 May 2012 in Horsens, where up to 160 parliamentarians from African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) as well as the European Parliament will participate in the Joint ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly. Denmark as EU presidency is hosting the Assembly.

Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt i, President of the Danish Parliament “Folketinget” Mogens Lykketoft and Mayor of Horsens Peter W. Sorensen will welcome the parliamentarians during the official opening ceremony on 28 May.

On Tuesday, the parliamentarians will debate climate and the Rio +20 summit with EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard i and the Danish Minister for Climate Martin Lidegaard. On Wednesday, Minister for Development Cooperation Christian Friis Bach will answer questions from parliamentarians when representing the EU's Council of Ministers on behalf of the EU Foreign Representative Catherine Ashton i.

EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs i and trade commissioner Karel de Gucht i will also debate with parliamentarians on the EU's development policy and EU trade policy respectively.

Citizens in Horsens will be hosting the many international politicians dinner in private homes, while civil society organisations throughout the week are organising a series of activities and meetings on topics such as food security, global health and the elections in Zimbabwe.