Brussels, 05/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission welcomes the fact that the Mauritanian parties, that have been in conflict since the August 2008 coup d'état, signed, in Nouakchott, the consensual agreement reached in Dakar (Senegal) on Thursday 4 June. The agreement between the three main political movements in Mauritania had been reached as part of the mediation process conducted at the invitation of Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, under the aegis of the African Union and with the support of the United Nations and the International Contact Group.
In a press release published on 5 June, Olli Rehn, current European Commissioner for development and humanitarian aid (replacing Louis Michel), hailed the agreement as bringing “much hope and relief”, saying it corresponds to the wishes expressed by the EU for respect of the constitution and puts an end to the ten-month long period of uncertainty and destabilisation which prevailed in the country. “The Commission is now ready to envisage gradual and progressive resumption of cooperation under the European Development Fund”, the commissioner went on to say. This prospect is, however, subject to full implementation of the agreement that the Commission plans to monitor closely in partnership with the African Union commission and the other members of the Contact Group. (A.N./transl.jl)