A high-level delegation of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament will be on a working visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo from 7 - 12 April 2015.
The delegation is made up of Gianni Pittella, president of the S&D Group and four MEPs: Linda McAvan, chair of the European Parliament’s International Development Committee, Marie Arena, spokesperson on conflict minerals, Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, vice-president of the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly (Africa – Caribbean – Pacific) and Elena Valenciano, president of the Subcommittee on Human Rights.
Gianni Pittella said:
“The main reason for this visit is to highlight the importance the S&D Group attributes to strengthening relations between the EU and the African continent, starting with the Democratic Republic of Congo since the stability of the Great Lakes Region is of paramount importance.
“The S&D Group’s interest in the DRC and other African states is obvious. Through a more mature EU-African partnership than in the past, we must help improve the living conditions, the safety and the dignity of Africa’s people, as well as aiding economic development and strengthening democracy.”
