Herewith we invite you to the General Assembly of the Cultural Association Friends of the Coca Leaf that will be held on Saturday 21 September 2013 in the Maison de l’Amerique Latine, Rue du College 27, Brussels, Belgium, from 14.00 to 17.00

You are all very wellcome, though it should be clear that only members who are inscribed in the Association will have the right to vote.

During the Assembly we will install a connection through Skype, we will do our best to make sure that all who are connected can participate in the meeting. Please let us know if you wish to attend this way

In this Assembly we will deal with the following matters:

1. Situation of the shipments

The shipments of coca leaves to Europe from Bolivia remain blocked following the decision of the Bolivian Post Office, that is referring to the Universal Postal Convention (that prohibits the sending of drugs) and the refusal of the airlines Lufthansa and BOA. We are waiting for the response of Lufthansa and the Bolivian Government on our letters in which we have asked to redraw this blockage. Depending on the content of these responses, we will have to define the next step.

2. Organization of an event in the European Parliament

Our association operates on the basis of a resolution of the European Parliament (approved in March 2008), calling on the European Commission and the Member States “ to explore ways of cooperating with EU civil society organisations in promoting substances derived from coca leaves for lawful use purely as a means of contributing effectively, by absorbing raw materials, to international action against drug trafficking, ensuring at the same time the safe use of such substances” We want to organise an event in the European Parliament in the coming months, to propose the active involvement of European Parliament members to carry out this resolution. All those who have contacts with European Parliament members that could be willing to support us please contact us.

3. Preparation of the trip of a delegation of the Friends of the Coca Leaf to Peru and Bolivia

In order to explain the opportunities to establish a model of international commercialisation of the coca leaf directly from producer to consumer, the Association plans a trip of a delegation to Peru and Bolivia in June 2014. In the Assembly we will establish the possible dates and trip schedule so we can start to make practical preparations. So everyone who is interested to participate in this trip should not forget to inform us and if possible, attend the Assembly.

4. Organic matters concerning the Association

We will have to approve the annual report, elect a new Steering Committee, among other matters that have to do with the organisation.

5. Various

6. Closure with a rite of gratitude to Mother Earth

During and after the Assembly there will be Andean music, an exposition of coca leaf products, and something to eat and drink.

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