Brussels, 19/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - After the military coup d'Etat of 15 March in the Central African Republic, the Council has decided to open consultations with the authorities from this country, under article 96 of the Cotonou agreement, linking the Union to the ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) countries.
The decision, which was approved without debate, ratifies the proposal made by the European Commission to implement the political dialogue which precedes the possible suspension (partial or total) of co-operation with a country, as this kind of sanction is to be used strictly as a last resort. Article 96 provides that if one or more of the essential elements of the agreement (respect for democratic principles, for the rule of law, for human rights) are violated by one of the signatory parties, consultations will take place in order to look at the situation in depth and, if necessary, take remedial action. The Council will invite the Central African authorities to Brussels for these consultations, in which representatives of the Union and other ACP countries will take part. The European Union intends to reiterate the importance it places on the essential elements of the Cotonou agreement, and to ask the Central African Republic's government what its intentions are in terms of respecting its obligations. The Union has already strongly criticised the military coup d'Etat in a statement by the Greek Presidency on 21 March.