Brussels, 18/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the Commission suggested that Member States should open consultations on the situation in Fiji, which could lead to suspension of EU aid. The military take-over on 5 December last was a major step backwards for democracy in the country. “It is damaging to its institutions, its economy, its social situation and its international standing”, the Commission states in a press release. Louis Michel, Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, put the proposal forward because of the violations of “human rights, democratic principles and rule of law”. A signatory of the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific), Fiji is bound by the elementary principles on respect of human rights, democratic principles and rule of law defined therein.
Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement foresees that, if a party considers that the other party fails to fulfil an obligation stemming from the agreement, the situation is to be thoroughly examined with a view to seeking a solution that is acceptable to the parties. The latter must then hold consultations which, if they fail to reach an acceptable solution, may result in other measures including partial or total suspension of cooperation. Before the military take-over, EU aid to Fiji was due to increase very significantly in order to support the sugar sector reform, the Commission recalls. We would point out that the EU did not fully resume cooperation with Fiji until 2004, after having suspended payments under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF), further to the earlier military coup in 2000. (ab)