Brussels, 22/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Monday in Brussels, the General Affairs Council adopted conclusions on Somalia that underline the EU's strategy for supporting the IGADD initiative for peace and reconciliation in the country. The EU is in this way confirming its support for efforts that aims to: promote dialogue and negotiation between all the different Somalian sides; reach a lasting end to hostilities; rapidly set up an efficient administration; promote relations between Somalia and its relations; improve the humanitarian situation.
In its conclusions, the Council indicates that if the progress achieved merits it, it could prove useful in the future to appoint an EU Special Envoy. This would be the most effective means of acting on the ground and that EU political initiatives could, if needed, be backed up by suitable measures, notably "intelligent" sanctions against individuals hindering the reconciliation process (as well as real incentives), including targeted financial aid. In this context, the Council has declared that the implementation of the "peace dividends" approach will be continued but also states that this must be completed by a more pro-active "peace consolidation" approach, focused on the rapid implementation of an efficient administration. In this way, the EU will provide financial and technical aid to a provisional administration that is open to all and largely representative and which should rapidly by succeeded by transition to an Arta government. This support will depend on certain conditions: the functioning of the main Somalian infrastructures, including the port and airport in Mogadishu, as well as the free movement of persons and goods; the launching of an organic, effective and operational partnership with the regions and the setting up of a participatory and democratic organisation; the adoption of rules for good management in public affairs, a fight against terrorism and the establishing of harmonious relations with neighbouring countries; concrete measures for promoting and protecting human rights; launching efficient reconciliation programmes, notably those involving issues of theft or rifling of property. In order to encourage a bottom-up approach, the EU will provide financial and technical support to the regional authorities that demonstrate clear commitment to democracy and the war on terrorism, as well as progress in disarmament and demobilisation of the different factions.
The EU is calling on front-line countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti) to do all they can to push forward negotiations within the IGADD framework. It has renewed its appeal to all countries to strictly respect the United Nations decreed arms embargo against Somalia.