COUNCIL DECISION

of 27 September 2010

amending and extending the period of application of Decision 2007/641/EC concluding consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument

(2010/589/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217 thereof,

Having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (1) and revised in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005 (2) (the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement), and in particular Article 96 thereof,

Having regard to the Internal Agreement between the representatives of the governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on measures to be taken and procedures to be followed for the implementation of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement (3), and in particular Article 3 thereof,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (4) (the Development Cooperation Instrument), and in particular Article 37 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

Decision 2007/641/EC (5) concluding consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument was adopted to implement appropriate measures following the violation of the essential elements referred to in Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and the values referred to in Article 3 of the Development Cooperation Instrument.

Those measures have been extended by Decision 2009/735/EC (6) , and subsequently by Decision 2010/208/EU (7) since, not only are important commitments concerning essential elements of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and the Development Cooperation Instrument yet to be implemented by the Republic of the Fiji Islands, but recently, there have also been important regressive developments concerning a number of these commitments.

The period of application of the measures in Decision 2007/641/EC expires on 1 October 2010. It is appropriate to prolong its validity and the content of the appropriate measures should be technically updated accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision 2007/641/EC is hereby amended as follows:

‘It shall expire on 31 March 2011. It shall be reviewed regularly at least once every six months.’;

in Article 3, the second paragraph is replaced by the following:

the Annex is replaced by the text appearing in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

The letter in the Annex to this Decision shall be addressed to the Republic of the Fiji Islands.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

(1) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.

(2) OJ L 287, 28.10.2005, p. 4.

(3) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 376.

(4) OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 41.

(5) OJ L 260, 5.10.2007, p. 15.

(6) OJ L 262, 6.10.2009, p. 43.

(7) OJ L 89, 9.4.2010, p. 7.

ANNEX

DRAFT LETTER

H.E. Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU

President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands

Suva

Republic of the Fiji Islands

Excellency,

The European Union (EU) attaches great importance to the provisions of Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and Article 3 of the Development Cooperation Instrument. The ACP-EU partnership is founded on respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, which form the essential elements of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and form the basis of our relations.

On 11 December 2006 the Council of the EU condemned the military takeover in Fiji.

Under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and considering that the military takeover on 5 December 2006 constituted a violation of the essential elements listed in Article 9 thereof, the EU invited the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Fiji) to consultations, as provided for in the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, in order to thoroughly examine the situation and, where necessary, take steps to remedy it.

The formal part of those consultations began in Brussels on 18 April 2007. The EU was pleased that at the time the Interim Government confirmed a number of key commitments regarding human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for democratic principles and the rule of law, as noted below, and proposed positive steps regarding their implementation.

Regrettably, there have since been a series of regressive developments, in particular in April 2009, meaning that Fiji is now in breach of a range of its commitments. This concerns notably the abrogation of the Constitution, the very substantial delay in holding the parliamentary elections, and human rights violations. Although the implementation of the commitments has been substantially delayed, the majority of those commitments remain highly relevant to Fiji’s present situation, and are therefore attached to this letter. As Fiji has unilaterally decided to break a number of key commitments, this has led to losses for Fiji in terms of development funds.

However, in the spirit of partnership forming the cornerstone of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, the EU expresses its readiness to engage in new formal consultations as soon as there is a reasonable prospect for a positive conclusion to such consultations. On 1 July 2009 the Interim Prime Minister presented a roadmap for reforms and for a return to democratic order. The EU stands ready to engage in dialogue regarding this roadmap, and to consider whether it may serve as a basis for new consultations. Accordingly, the EU has decided to extend the existing appropriate measures for Fiji in order to create a window of opportunity for new consultations. While some of the appropriate measures are now out-of-date, it has been concluded that rather than update them unilaterally the EU prefers to further explore possibilities for new consultations with Fiji. Consequently, it is of particular importance that the Interim Government commits to an inclusive domestic political dialogue and to flexibility concerning the time-frame for the roadmap. While the EU’s position is and always will be guided by the essential elements of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement as well as its fundamental principles, notably regarding the pivotal role of dialogue and the fulfilment of mutual obligations, it is stressed that there are no foregone conclusions on the EU’s side regarding the outcome of future consultations.

If new consultations result in substantial commitments from Fiji, the EU is committed to an early, positive review of the appropriate measures. Conversely, if the situation in Fiji does not improve, then further losses of development funds for Fiji are set to continue. In particular, the assessment of progress made towards return to the constitutional rule will guide the EU following the upcoming decisions on Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries and 10th European Development Fund (EDF) National Indicative Programme with respect to Fiji.

Until new consultations have taken place the EU invites Fiji to continue and intensify the enhanced political dialogue.

The appropriate measures are as follows:

— humanitarian aid and direct support to civil society may continue,

— the cooperation activities under way, in particular under the 8th and 9th EDFs, may continue,

— cooperation activities that would help the return to democracy and improve governance may be pursued, save under very exceptional circumstances,

— the implementation of the sugar reform accompanying measures for 2006 may proceed. The financing agreement was signed at technical level by Fiji on 19 June 2007. It is noted that the financing agreement includes a suspension clause,

— the preparation and eventual signing of the multiannual indicative programme for sugar reform accompanying measures for 2011-2013 can proceed,

— the finalisation, signing at technical level and the implementation of the Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme for the 10th EDF with an indicative financial envelope, as well as the possible allocation of an incentive tranche of up to 25 % of this sum, will be subject to respect of the commitments made with regard to human rights and the rule of law, notably: that the Interim Government upholds the Constitution, that the independence of the judiciary is fully respected, that the Public Emergency Regulations, reintroduced on 6 September 2007, are lifted as soon as possible, that all allegations of human rights infringements are investigated or dealt with in accordance with the various procedures and forums under the laws of Fiji, and that the Interim Government will use its best endeavours to prevent statements by security agencies designed to intimidate,

— the 2007 sugar allocation was zero,

— the availability of the 2008 sugar allocation was subject to evidence of credible and timely preparation of elections in accordance with the agreed commitments, notably regarding a census, the redrafting of boundaries and the electoral reform in accordance with the Constitution, and measures taken to ensure the functioning of the Elections Office, including the appointment of a Supervisor of Elections by 30 September 2007 in accordance with the Constitution. The 2008 sugar allocation was lost on 31 December 2009,

— the 2009 sugar allocation was cancelled in May 2009 because the Interim Government decided to delay general elections until September 2014,

— the 2010 allocation was cancelled before 1 May 2010 as no progress was made in the continuation of the democratic process; however, given the critical situation of the sugar sector, the Commission set aside part of the allocation for direct assistance, centrally managed by the EU’s Delegation in Suva and not channelled through the government, to the population directly dependent on sugar production in order to mitigate adverse social consequences. The provision of any such support would have to be confirmed by the EU’s legislative and budgetary authorities,

— additional support for the preparation and implementation of key commitments, in particular in support of the preparation and/or holding of elections, could be considered over and above what is described in this letter,

— regional cooperation, and Fiji’s participation in it, is unaffected,

— cooperation with the European Investment Bank and the Centre for the Development of Enterprise may continue subject to the timely fulfilment of commitments made.

Monitoring of the commitments will be in accordance with the commitments listed in the Annex to this letter concerning regular dialogue, cooperation with missions and reporting.

Furthermore, the EU expects Fiji to cooperate fully with the Pacific Islands Forum regarding the implementation of the recommendations by the Eminent Persons’ Group, as endorsed by the Forum of Foreign Ministers at their meeting in Vanuatu on 16 March 2007.

The EU will continue to follow the situation in Fiji closely. Under Article 8 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, an enhanced political dialogue will be conducted with Fiji to ensure respect for human rights, the restoration of democracy and respect for the rule of law until both parties conclude that the enhanced nature of the dialogue has served its purpose.

If there is a slowing down, breakdown or reversal in the implementation by the Interim Government of the commitments made, the EU reserves the right to adjust the appropriate measures.

The EU stresses that Fiji’s privileges in its cooperation with the EU depend on the respect for the essential elements of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and the values referred to in the Development Cooperation Instrument. In order to convince the EU that the Interim Government is fully prepared to follow up on the commitments given, it is essential that early and substantial progress is made in the fulfilment of the agreed commitments.

Yours sincerely,

Done at Brussels, For the Commission … For the Council …