Brussels, 12/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Union welcomes the fact that public emergency regulations have been lifted in Fiji, seeing this as a step towards democracy. “The lifting of the emergency regulations is an important step towards the re-establishment of democracy and holding of credible and transparent elections. Fiji is a key country in EU relations with the Pacific and the EU looks forward to the re-establishment of democracy as well as to the presentation of further details on the process leading to credible and transparent elections in Fiji with a view to supporting this process together with other regional and international partners”, states the delegation of the European Union in Fiji (Suma) in a statement published on 9 January in agreement with the EU heads of mission in Fiji, Australia and New Zealand.
The sanctions imposed by the EU on Fiji in 2007 for violation of the essential elements of the Cotonou agreement (respect of human rights, rule of law and democratic principles) were recently extended so that they will apply until 30 September 2012. (AN/transl.jl)