On 20, 21 and 22 March 1973, François-Xavier Ortoli, President of the CEC, and Jean-François Deniau, Member of the CEC in charge of Development Aid, Budgets and Financial Control, received Léopold Sedar Senghor, President of Senegal. Mandated by the Associated African States and Madagascar (AASM), he was present to prepare the negotiations for the renewal of the association, which will begin in August 1973. He also had the opportunity to participate in working meetings - with the Commission and the  Committee of Permanent Representatives - which enabled him to meet African partners with a view to the forthcoming negotiations and to "identify any difficulties" that may exist in Europe