Brussels, 14/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 July, the Council of the EU suspended the measures limiting cooperation with Guinea-Bissua, following the free elections which were conducted in April - the result of which was considered credible (see EUROPE 11057).
“We are very satisfied with this decision since it enables the EU to support the newly elected authorities on their path towards the reconstruction and stabilisation of the state by helping them rapidly to ensure vital state functions and provide the basic social services to the population”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs.
The EU expects the authorities of the country to do all in their power that the commitments taken in 2011 are respected - especially in the security sector, the renewing of the military hierarchy and the fight against impunity. The measures limiting EU cooperation with Guinea-Bissau were imposed in July 2011 after the military mutiny of April 2010 and the appointment of its main instigators to high posts in the military hierarchy. (MB)