Assembly/AU/Dec.380(XVII) Page 1 DECISION ON THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES Doc. Assembly/AU/12(XVII) Add.2 The Assembly, 1. TAKES NOTE of the proposal by the Government of the Republic of Benin on the establishment of a Group of Experts in charge of ensuring the effective implementation of the principles spelt out in the Manifesto of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Independence of African Countries; 2. WELCOMES the pertinence of the conclusions of the deliberations of the International Symposium held in Cotonou, Benin, from 16 to 20 November 2010; 3. RECOGNIZES the crucial importance of the cooperation agreements established between Member States of the African Union and other regions of the world with a view to strategic partnership; 4. ADOPTS the proposal of Benin and REQUESTS the Commission in collaboration with the Permanent Representatives‟ Committee to take all necessary measures to implement this Decision.