Brussels, 29/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - In Lome (Togo), the European Development Commissioner Louis Michel, said that he hoped that very soon it would be possible to announce a return to full cooperation between Togo and the European Union, which is on the verge of being finalised. The European Commissioner has held long talks with Togolese President Eyadema and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties, and believes that steps have undeniably been made by Togo, whose cooperation with the EU was suspended in January 1993 in the wake of a breakdown in the democratic process. Louis Michel is quoted by Reuters as saying that two problems still exist, namely the date of early elections (requested by the EU). Michel said he was delighted to hear President Eyadema's announcement that general elections would be held in March or April of this year. The second issue is the electoral code. Here too, Michel spoke of openings being made on the subject by President Eyadema.
On 4 November 2004, the Council of the EU noted that the consultation process with Togo under the Cotonou Agreement (Article 96) were concluded, and on 15 November 2004, the Council adopted without debate (at the Education and Youth Council) a decision 'concluding a consultation process with Togo under the Cotonou Agreement. The Decision consists of a letter to be sent to the Togolese government indicating appropriate measures to be taken as regards the restoration of democracy' and 'conditions for financial contributions to Togo in the Cotonou framework. Aid for the implementation of measures to carry out the undertakings made during the consultations may be provided form the unexpended balances of the 6th and 7th European Development Fund (EDF) Funds.' Togo has already lost 60% of the EDF funding allocated to it, and would have lost a further 20% if a date for early elections had not been announced. In Lome, Louis Michel made reassuring noises, noting that the 20% that would normally have been lost to Togo will not now be lost. The 20% in question will be provided for Togo once the EU has notified it, in other words, probably at the beginning of 2005.