Brussels, 18/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - Consultations between the EU and Guinea Bissau to try to find a way out of the crisis after the mutiny of 1st April 2010 and to set the country back on the way to democracy and good governance have concluded, and development cooperation between the EU and this ACP country will be able to resume, step by step, as progress is made in implementing its pledges to return to full and complete democracy. This decision was taken by the Council of the EU in Brussels on Monday 18 July in the light of progress on reform already achieved by the country. This gradual resumption of development cooperation will form part of a roadmap set out by the EU.
The EU welcomes the return to constitutional order after the peaceful presidential election and a legitimate president and civil government took up office. It now expects the general election, scheduled for the last quarter of 2011, to be held, as promised by the Guinean authorities, and is ready to provide €5 million to help support this election.
“The first set of actions is on the right path. This should enable us to resume cooperation in the energy and road sector in the coming months. More sizeable assistance, including budget support, could be made available at a later stage, pending structural reforms in the security sector and credible efforts against impunity and organised crime”, said Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs in a press release.
Political consultations with Guinea Bissau began at the start of the year (see EUROPE 10305) under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement which links the EU and 78 ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) countries. This Article states that, in the event of any infringement of the key elements of the agreement (respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law) a political dialogue should be undertaken, prior to the partial suspension of development cooperation, full suspension coming only as a last resort.
The partial suspension of cooperation was decided by the Council on the recommendation of the Commission. Since the opening of consultations, “the EU has continued all its activities in support to the people and will do so in the future”, the commissioner said in a press release. (A.N./transl.rt)