Brussels, 01/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - Consultations between the Haitian authorities and the European Union, begun under Article 96 o the Cotonou Agreement to try to remedy the violation of democratic principles, the rule of law and human rights in the country since the general elections of May 2000, have been broken off, and cooperation between the Union and that ACP State has now been suspended. This is what the Union Council decided, considering the first consultation meeting of 26 September last (see EUROPE of 28 September, p.13) to have been in vain. According to the European side, the exchange of views did not to lead to a satisfactory solution to the concerns expressed by the Union as to the legitimacy of the democratic process in Haiti.
The Council has thus decided to: a) suspend 44.4 million euro, corresponding to the second slice of the National Indicative Programme under the 8th Edf; b) suspend all direct support to the budget (earmarked for funding the structural adjustment programmes and food security); c) redirect the remaining funds of the first slice of the National Indicative Programme to projects that are of direct benefit to the Haitian people; d) announce no allocation of resources in the framework of ongoing assistance planning exercise for the 9th Edf. The Council stresses that the Union will monitor developments in the situation closely, and reiterates the EU's readiness to engage in enhanced political dialogue with the Haitian authorities, as well as to contribute to the democratisation process. Should there be positive developments, the decision to suspend assistance could be reviewed at any time before 31 December 2001, but the Council reserves the right to take other measures if no improvements are made.
Adopted without debate, this Council decision reflects the spirit of the provisional conclusions drawn by the Union at the end of an initial exchange of views with the Haitian authorities: by suspending cooperation with Haiti, the Union intends expressing that it disapproves of the violation of the essential elements of the Cotonou Agreement, enshrined in Article 9 (respect of democratic principles, human rights, rule of law and sound management of public affairs), but must not penalise the Haitian people, prone to serious financial and social difficulties.