Briefing the media yesterday, National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala said the purpose of the meeting was to exchange views on the PAP, "with a view to building a collective vision".
The meeting was intended to be a follow-up to the last meeting held in 2002, and was expected to provide interesting views of other national parliaments on the role and functions of a continental Parliament.
The PAP, as the eventual legislative institution of the African Union and custodian of democratic values, would also face major challenges regarding the harmonisation of laws across the continent, she said.
This was especially so given the diversity of jurisprudence, socio-political environments, political ideologies, socio-economic development, and degrees or levels of democratisation.
Among the issues on the agenda were the Pan African Parliament Protocol, the relationship of the PAP with other AU organs, and the PAP's vision.
About 18 countries have already ratified the protocol, but not all have formally deposited it, and she hoped the meeting would speed up this process, Ginwala said.
At least 27 countries have to ratify the protocol for it to come into force.
About 28 African countries are expected to attend the meeting, with at least three MPs from each, including Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Rwanda, Namibia, Senegal, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, and Uganda.
Deputy President Jacob Zuma will open the meeting.
South Africa is the only country to have formally applied to host the eventual PAP, and its bid has received the backing of the Southern African Development Community.
The SADC Parliamentary Forum is also scheduled to meet in Cape Town tomorrow and Saturday this week. – Sapa.
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