Comoros has been banned from participating in events and activities relating to the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries until it addresses the issue of membership arrears. These are substantial: ACP membership arrears totalling almost EUR147,000 have been built up between 2000 and 2009. As a result, Comorian representatives will not be allowed to attend any ACP meetings-including the ministerial sessions-and, potentially more significantly, will not receive any documents from the ACP secretariat, notably those relating to trade negotiations with the EU.