Brussels, 04/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - The restrictive measures imposed on cooperation with Madagascar since 2010 (Decision 1010/371/EU) will be extended until credible elections have taken place and constitutional order has been returned. Such was the decision of the Council of the European Union on Monday 3 December (Decision 16208/12) in order to encourage the Madagascan authorities to fully respect the roadmap for democratic transition. The parliamentary elections and the second round of presidential elections in Madagascar are scheduled for 3 July 2013.
The Council's decision to extend the restrictive measures was adopted without debate before the 2010 decision expires (6 December). The decision will be reviewed in six months' time.
Cooperation and development between the EU and Madagascar has gradually resumed since 8 August with the European Commission's adoption of new programmes supporting health, education and the strengthening of civil society for the most deprived people - people hard hit by the political instability and economic crisis in Madagascar (which counts among the least developed countries - LDCs). This is the logical continuation from the resumption of strengthened political dialogue between the EU and the Madagascan authorities in the context of exiting the crisis, but it is subject to the continuation of progress in the electoral process (see EUROPE 10673 and 10647). (AN/transl.fl)