Secretaries of delegations
145 SD 06 E
Original: English
NATO Parliamentary Assembly
MINUTES
Meeting of the Secretaries of Delegations
Salle Neuilly, Palais de Congrès, Paris, France
Friday 26 May 2006
International Secretariat                                                                                                        June 2006
ATTENDANCE LIST
Chairpersons                                                           Frédéric Taillet (National Assembly)
                                                                                   Etienne Sallenave (Senate)
Deputy Secretary General                                     David Hobbs
Deputy to the Secretary General for Partnerships
and External Relations                                           Andrea Cellino
Head, Conference Service                                    Gill Rawling
IT Manager                                                               Dwight Griswold
Project manager (Idéecom)                                   Franck Attal
Albania (Assembly of the Republic)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Manjola Alizoti-Enz (acting)
Algeria (Council of the Nation)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dalila Mokhazmi (acting)
Algeria (National People's Assembly)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Faiza Lamia Alahoum
Armenia (National Assembly)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Zabela Ghazaryan (acting)
Austria (National Council)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Lukas Mussi
Azerbaijan (National Assembly)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rahim Akhundov
Belgium                                                                      Frans van Melkebeke
Bulgaria (National Assembly)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Borislav Penchev
Canada                                                                      Denis Robert
Denmark (Folketing)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Morten Roland Hansen
Estonia (Riigikogu)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tanja Espe
European Parliament                                                 Armand Franjulien
Finland (Eduskunta)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Heikki Savola
France                                                                        (in the chair)
Georgia (Sakartvelos)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Archil Osidze
Germany (Bundesrat)                                                Annemarie Bürsch
Germany (Bundestag)                                               Rainer Büscher
Greece (Chamber of Deputies)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Roxani Xeplati
Hungary (National Assembly)                                    Károly Tüzes
Iceland (Althing)                                                         StÃgur Stefánsson
Italy (Chamber of Deputies)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cristina De Cesare
Jordan (Senate)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nathir Al-Awamleh (acting)
Latvia (Saeima)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Sandra Paura
Lithuania (Seimas)                                                     Snieguolé Žiúkaité
Luxembourg (Chamber of Deputies)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Isabelle Barra
Netherlands                                                                Leo van Waasbergen
Portugal (Assembly of the Republic)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â LuÃsa Pinto Basto
Romania (House of Deputies)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Irina Bojin
Romania (Senate)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ioan Ilie
Russia (Federation Council)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Viacheslav Kolotvin
Russia (State Duma)                                                 Marina Yakovlevá
Slovakia (National Council)                                        Jarmila Nováková
Slovenia (National Assembly)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tamara Gruden-PeÄan
Spain (Congress of Deputies)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mercedes Araujo
Sweden (Riksdag)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ann-Sofi Lindenbaum
Switzerland                                                                Pierre-Yves Breuleux
Turkey (Grand National Assembly)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â YeÅŸim Uslu
Ukraine (Supreme Rada)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ihor Mysyk
United Kingdom (House of Commons)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Libby Davidson
Accompanying the delegations                   Â
Austria                                                                        David Liebich
Belgium                                                                      Ferdinand VanthournoutÂ
Canada                                                                      Elizabeth Rody
European Parliament                                                 Luis Balsells
                                                                                   Andrea Kralova
Germany                                                                    Andrea Bou-Said
                                                                                   Stephanie Brooks
                                                                                   Susanne Müller
Greece                                                                       Sophia Vergis
Italy (Senate)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Laura Ellina Tabladini
Italy (Chamber of Deputies)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Pia Califano
                                                                                   Stefania Perozzi
Netherlands                                                                Wilma Kooijman
Norway                                                                       Lisbeth Merete Stock
Poland                                                                        Andrzej Januszewski
Spain                                                                          Araceli Quintano
Turkey                                                                        Aylin Sav
United Kingdom                                                         Andrew Hubner
French Secretariat                                                  Sylvie Bizzozzero
International Secretariat
Eva Antunano
Isabelle Arcis
Andrius Avizius
Sébastien Botella
Claudia Buerkin
Helen Cadwallender
Roberta Calorio
                                                                                   Salima Chebrek
Paul Cook
Valérie Geffroy
Christine Heffinck
Helena Hradilova
Anna Macdonald
Devon Manz
Susan Millar
Audrey Nelson
Ruxandra Popa
James Rhys
Steffen Sachs
Zachary Selden
Mark Simpson
Patrick Stephenson
Svitlana Svyetova
Claire Watkins
Catherine Zekas
The meeting opened at 13.10 with Frédéric Taillet (National Assembly) in the Chair.
1.      Opening of the proceedings
Mr Taillet (FR) welcomed colleagues to the Spring Session in Paris. He introduced Etienne Sallenave, Secretary of the French Senate Delegation, and Franck Attal, of Idéecom, an event management company with whom the French Parliament had closely collaborated in preparation for the session.
Mr Hobbs (NATO PA) expressed his pleasure that the Spring Session was being held in Paris.
Ms Rawling (NATO PA) introduced the new Secretaries of Delegation: StÃgur Stefánsson (IS), Cristina De Cesare from the Chamber of Deputies (IT), Margit Gjelten (NO) and Marina Yakovlevá from the State Duma (RU). She welcomed those replacing the official Secretaries of Delegation for this session only: Manjola Alizoti-Enz (AL), Dalila Mokhazmi (DZ), Zabela Ghazaryan (AM) and Nathir Al-Awamleh (JO).
She also informed those present of staffing changes within the Assembly: Helen Cadwallender would be leaving her position as Coordinator of the Economics and Security Committee to join the Conference Service. A new recruit, Reena Panchal would take the post of Coordinator of the Economics and Security Committee.
2.      Adoption of the Draft Agenda [102 SD 06 E]
The Draft Agenda [102 SD 06 E] was adopted.
3.      Adoption of the Minutes of the meeting of the Secretaries of Delegation held in Gdynia, Poland, on Friday 24 March 2006 [079 SD 06 E]
The Minutes [079 SD 06 E] were adopted.
4.      Questions concerning the current session [handbook]
Mr Taillet gave details on the working programme for the session, in particular regarding arrangements for the two plenary sittings and the committee visits. He also gave information regarding the reception to take place at the Hôtel de Lassay at the National Assembly.
Mr Sallenave gave information regarding the dinners for the Standing Committee and the Secretaries of Delegations to take place at the Palais du Luxembourg at the Senate.
Mr Attal gave details relating to the social programme and transport arrangements for the session.
5.      Consideration of the Draft Agenda of the Standing Committee meeting [019 SC 06 E Rev.1]
The Draft Agenda was noted.
6.      Preparation of the 52nd Annual Session in Québec, Canada, from Monday 13 to Friday          17 November 2006
Ms Rody (CA) provided information regarding the forthcoming session in Québec. She informed participants that the organizers would have a web-site dedicated to the event, which should be available very shortly http://www.natopa-apotan.ca/
She also recommended that participants bring winter coats, boots and gloves in anticipation of either cold or rainy weather.
She advised delegations to make their transfer reservations from Toronto or Montreal airports as early as possible and informed participants that transport from Québec airport to the official session hotel would be available on both 12 and 13 November and return transport would be available on 17 and 18 November 2006. Those arriving on different dates could use taxis to and from Québec Jean Lesage airport, the journey costing approximately CAD 30. Should delegates prefer to travel from Montreal to Québec by bus, this journey takes approximately 3 hours.
The Canadian organizers strongly recommend that delegations make reservations at the Hotel Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, where 600 rooms have been provisionally reserved. The negotiated session rates were very favourable. Delegations were encouraged to reserve           non-smoking rooms early as Québec is a non-smoking province and 40% of the rooms are smoking rooms. The hotel is a ten-minute walk from the conference centre, though shuttle buses will also be available on this route all day for the duration of the conference. The accommodation document would be distributed shortly and also be available on the session website.Â
- Draft Programme [052 SESA 06 E Rev.1]
Ms Rody noted that in addition to the social events already on the programme there would be a reception hosted by the President of the Québec National Assembly on the first evening. She drew attention to the fact that this should not affect the usual free evening to be spent with embassies as Québec is a provincial city and there are only a few consulates. She added that the Secretaries of Delegations’ dinner would take place in a relaxed, lively atmosphere, recommending that participants wear informal, warm clothing for the occasion.
- Excursions [103 SESA 06 E]
Prior to each departure of the four excursion groups to separate locations, presentations in English and French on the history of Québec will be given at the Hotel Château Frontenac. Availability for each of the excursions will be limited and places filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Programme for Accompanying Persons [104 SESA 06 E]
        Â
Ms Rody noted that there would be a two-day programme laid on for the accompanying persons too.
Participants would be able to sign up in advance for all excursions on the session website.Â
7.      Preparation of Future Sessions and Meetings [024 GEN 06 E Rev.1]
- Meeting of the Standing Committee in Budapest, Hungary, from 23 to 25 March 2007
- Spring Session in Madeira, Portugal, from 25 to 29 May 2007
- Annual Session in Reykjavik, Iceland, from 5 to 9 October 2007
Ms Pinto Basto (PO), Mr Stefánsson (IS) and Mr Tüzes (HU) informed participants that more information on the meetings their countries are hosting would be available at the Annual Session in Canada in November 2006.
8.      Liaison between Delegations and the International Secretariat
Mr Griswold (NATO PA) informed participants that the ‘Pink List’ was being discontinued in printed form since all the information it contained could be found on the Assembly’s intranet site. Claire Watkins would be pleased to demonstrate the use of the intranet site and anyone who wanted a demonstration should contact Claire during the course of the session.
The meeting closed at 14.15.
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