By Godfrey Olukya 12-12-2013
The Council has today decided that the conditions have been fulfilled
for the complete resumption of the European Union’s cooperation with
the Republic of Guinea on issues related to the Tenth European
Development Fund, Africa Press has reported.
The holding of parliamentary elections in the Republic of Guinea was
the last milestone of the road map set out by the Council in July
20091concerning the conclusion of consultations with the Republic of
Guinea under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement.
Following the military coup on 23 December 2008, the EU partially
suspended development cooperation with Guinea. To accompany the return
to constitutional order and democracy, a roadmap for gradual
resumption of EU aid was set out.
The holding of inclusive and peaceful parliamentary elections on 28
September 2013 marked a very important step for the return to
constitutional order and the consolidation of democracy in the
Republic of Guinea and made it possible to lift the appropriate
measures adopted by the European Union under Article 96 of the Cotonou
Agreement.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Catherine Ashton said, “I welcome the holding of these peaceful and inclusive elections and
the imminent installation of the National Assembly. It is important
that the Guinean authorities now commit themselves to wide-ranging
discussions on the electoral framework with a view to speedy
introduction of the reforms necessary for the forthcoming elections to
be held. The new Assembly will provide an appropriate institutional
framework for the organisation of this democratic debate between the
different political parties.”
END
