President Song addresses members of European Parliament and meets European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid

On Thursday, 15 October, 2009, ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song, will be the key-note speaker at the Luncheon Conference on The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the European Union - Challenges for the Promotion of International Justice and the Fight against Impunity, to be held at the European Parliament in Brussels. On the same day President Song will also meet the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht.

At the Luncheon Conference, an interactive event organised by the European Parliament group of the NGO Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), President Song will express his appreciation for the European Union’s strong support of the Court and will discuss with members of the European Parliament how the Court and EU can work together to address remaining challenges in the development of the Rome Statute system. In particular, the agenda includes the impact of ICC cases and activity in situation countries; the European Union efforts in promoting the Rome Statute globally and its effective implementation in all European member states’ legislation; the co-operation between the Court and the EU to enforce pending arrest warrants and support the mandate of the Court; and the first Review Conference of the Rome Statute.

Also in Brussels, President Song will meet the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht. Among the topics to be discussed are co-operation between the Directorate General for Development and the Court, the overall relationship between the EU and the Court, as well as preparations for the Review Conference to be held in Kampala, Uganda in 2010.

The Luncheon Conference will be held from 12:45 to 14:45 PM, room A5G.

For further information please contact Ms Sonia Robla, Head of Public Information and Documentation Section at +31 (0)70 515-8089 or +31 (0) 6 46 44 87 26 or at [email protected].