by Kenneth Odour, Nairobi
Garowe Online East Africa bureau

NAIROBI, Kenya May 20 (Garowe Online) - African and European legislators are expected to meet in Nairobi, Kenya, for a three-day conference to debate parliament's role in monitoring aid effectiveness and to explore ways of establishing closer and cordial relations with the media.

The conference, to be co-hosted by the East African Legislative Assembly and the European Parliamentarians for Africa (Awepa), is expected to commence on May 24.

Expected to attend the Nairobi conference are parliamentarians from 13 East and Central Africa countries, representatives from the Pan-African Parliament, European legislators and media representatives from the two continents.

The East African Legislative Assembly President, Abdi Rahim Haithar Abdi, and his counterpart from Awepa, Dr. Jan Scholten, are expected to officially open the conference. According to the two organizers of the conference, it is aimed at strengthening democracy in Africa.

"Parliaments have an important role to play in the development process of East Africa and this conference is very important towards achieving that important goal," said Dr. Scholten.

According to the Secretary-General of Awepa, Par Granstedt, the theme of the conference would be very important in the process of strengthening democracy.

Another meeting is expected to debate and discuss political party pluralism and the freedom of the press.

The Nepad Contact Group of Parliamentarians, Canadian Parliamentary Centre, Media Focus on Africa and Parliamentarians for Global Action will also attend the meeting in Nairobi.

Source: Garowe Online