[ecr]

The meeting is dedicated to a number of issues relating to the administrative and financial management of the African Union and the joint African action, the statement said.

On the sidelines of the opening session, Attaf held bilateral meetings with his counterparts of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and the Republic of Rwanda.

"The meeting between Attaf and his Mauritanian counterpart, who chairs the Executive Council and whose country is chairing the African Union, was an opportunity for the two sides to consult on items on the agenda, examine the ways to promote the relations of fraternity and cooperation between the two friendly peoples and discuss the latest developments in the Sahel-Saharan region," the statement said.

During their meeting, Attaf and his Saharawi counterpart, discussed items on the 45th session's agenda and the developments of the Western Sahara issue at the diplomatic level.

They then examined the ways to boost coordination and bilateral cooperation in different fields, the statement said.

Attaf's meeting with his Rwandan counterpart was "an occasion for the two sides to exchange views on the agenda of the AU Executive Council meeting, examine relations between the two countries and the ways to raise them ahead of the bilateral high-level events and meetings."

[/ecr]