Brussels, 02/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission proposed to the Council that normal relations with Liberia, which have been suspended for the past four years, be resumed. A recent EU mission to Liberia concluded that the government is committed to building a well governed and democratic country. In the light of this, the Commission has proposed that Member States resume “normal cooperation” under the Cotonou Agreement, which was partially suspended in March 2002 due to the failure of Liberia's leaders to respect human rights, the rule of law and democracy. “This decision marks a turning point in our relationship with Liberia. The commitment of the Liberian Government under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to democratic change and good governance puts Liberia firmly on the path to recovery. The progress Liberia's government has made in the past year allows us to commit our support to this recovery through the Cotonou Agreement,” said Commissioner Louis Michel.