EU Moves On Fiji Regime
- January 22nd, 2007
- Posted by EUEditor
The European Commission has started a process leading towards suspension of development and trade co-operation with Fiji.
It announced (17.1.07) that because of the Fiji military coup d’etat on 5.12.06 it planned to demand consultations with the authorities installed in Suva.
The Commission said it would act under the terms of its Cotonou Agreement with 76 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP), which encompassed both development aid and respect for democratic processes.
Its move reflected continuing concerns about the situation in Fiji and would invoke discussion on future action among the 27 member governments of the European Union.
The European Commissioner for Development, Humanitarian Aid and Relations with the ACP, Louis Michel, said:
“I have proposed to the EU member states to take this step because of human rights abuses, breach of democratic principles and lack of respect for the rule of law.
“With the welfare of the people of Fiji in mind, we hope that the situation can be remedied through consultations and that we can avoid suspension of our co-operation.”