The European Union regards the mutiny of 1 April 2010 in Guinea-Bissau and the subsequent appointment of its main instigators to high-ranking posts in the military hierarchy, as a breach of essential elements of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement. Therefore, the European Union terminated its common security and defence policy support mission, and as a precautionary measure, suspended some of its development cooperation activities. The EU invited the Government of Guinea-Bissau, to engage in consultations under Article 96, of the Cotonou Agreement on actions necessary for the country to resume operations in compliance with the Partnership Agreement’s principles, respecting human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law.

The consultations officially opened on 29 March 2011 in Brussels, chaired by Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs, János Hóvári, on behalf of the Hungarian EU Presidency, as the substitute of the High Representative, Catherine Ashton; and with the participation of European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, and Managing Director for Africa in the European External Action Service, Nicholas Westcott. The delegation of Guinea-Bissau was led by Prime Minister, Carlos Gomes Júnior.

Owing to the willingness of Guinea-Bissau, the negotiations were carried out in a constructive manner, where the European Union received answers to its questions, necessary for an in-depth exploration of the situation. As a result of the consultations, several specific commitments were made by the Guinea-Bissau side, including committing to conduct independent judicial investigations concerning the events of March and June 2009, effective implementation of the security sector reform, and combatting drug trafficking and money laundering.

The EU is ready to continue providing constructive support to Guinea-Bissau, so that it can comply with the above-mentioned commitments, and implement necessary political and economic reforms.

Further information: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/er/120377.pdf

(kormany.hu)