Brussels, 20/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Council provided the green light for the total resumption of co-operation between the European Union and the Ivory Coast at its meeting in Brussels on Monday (see EUROPE of 19 February, p.6). The decision was taken without debate, given the policy of openness conducted by the government of the country. It will allow for the beginning of the planning of available resources for the country under the 9th European Development Fund, or some 264 million euro for the period 2002-2007, and to mobilise resources not yet committed from the leftovers of the previous Edfs, or some 40 million euro under the 7th and 8th Edfs. All these funds will be allocated if the process of political openness and reconciliation continues, which, the Council stresses, presupposes "the settlement of fundamental differences with the opposition, the shedding of light on the abuses of power that prevailed in the transition period, the setting up of all new supreme jurisdictions, as well as appeasement in relations with foreign populations". The Council adds that "the intensification of the fight against corruption and improvement of public management capabilities are essential elements for sustainable development on the Ivory Coast", which will facilitate the rapid and effective implementation of Union aid.
The Union's decision to limit its co-operation with the Ivory Coast was taken after the coup d'Etat of 24 December 1999 that had taken a military junta to power. The gradual and conditional resumption of co-operation was decided in June 2001 at the end of consultations under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement linking the EU to the 77 ACP countries. Progress observed in terms of political openness, national reconciliation in combating impunity, the independence of the courts and the rights of foreigners in the country had already allowed for an acceleration in the resumption of co-operation last October.