Brussels, 19/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - Development co-operation between the European Union and Madagascar has now officially resumed in full. The formal decision was adopted without debate on Monday 19 May in Brussels by the Council of the EU in the sidelines of the session on development. This decision was just a formality, since the return of the ACP (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) country to constitutional order.
Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, immediately welcomed this progress, “which opens the door to a new era of cooperation with Madagascar”. The earmarking of EU aid to Madagascar under the 11th European Development Fund (11th EDF) for the 2014-2020 period is imminent. Andris Piebalgs, the European Commissioner for Development, will be travelling to the country in June “to kickstart programming work”, he explained in a press release. The Commissioner added that “the EU is determined to support Madagascar in its path to prosperity and stability and to help lifting the most vulnerable people in the country, who are in dire need of assistance, out of poverty”.
In June 2010, co-operation development with Madagascar was suspended following a coup d'état on 17 March, but humanitarian aid and direct support to the population continued. The repeal of restrictive measures on cooperation imposed by the EU in June, under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement (violation of democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance), was announced on 18 April, with the formation of the new Madagascar government headed by Doctor Kolo Roger. Presidential and general elections in May were deemed credible by the EU and marked an important stage in the return to constitutional order, as well as a starting point for the consolidation of democracy, the rule of law, good governance and political stabilisation. (AN)