Communication from the Commission to the Council on the opening of consultations with Guinea-Bissau pursuant to Article 366A of the Lomé Convention
Date: 1999-07-09
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: ACP-EU Joint Assembly, EU relations, Guinea-Bissau, fourth Lomé Convention, human rights

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 09.07.1999
COM(1999) 361 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL

on the opening of consultations with Guinea-Bissau pursuant to Article 366a of
the Lomé Convention

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL

on the opening of consultations with Guinea-Bissau pursuant to Article 366a of
the Lomé Convention

Following the events which occurred in Guinea-Bissau on 6 and 7 May 1999, the
European Union published a declaration condemning the outbreak of violence, the
deposition of President Vieira in violation of the Abuja agreement and the attacks on
diplomatic missions.

Article 5 of the Lomé Convention stipulates that respect for human rights, democratic
principles and the rule of law underpins relations between the ACP States and the
Community.

The Union therefore appealed to the various authorities in Guinea-Bissau:

–

–

–

to work for national reconciliation, reconstruction and development;

to return to the process of democratisation based on the country’s
Constitution, and;

to take the necessary measures leading to the holding of free and fair
presidential and legislative elections in November.

In accordance with Article 366 a of the fourth ACP-EC Convention implemented by
the Council decision of 11 March 1999, the Commission proposes that the Council
invite the ACP party (Guinea-Bissau) to consultations with a view to assessing the
situation in detail.

These consultations should enable the Guinea-Bissau party to specify the measures
that it intends to take to meet the expectations expressed by the European Union in its
declaration of 18 May 1999, in particular with regard to the separation of civilian and
military powers, as well as the deadlines that it intends to set and respect.

2

Sir,

DRAFT

In its declaration of 18 May 1999, the European Union condemned the recourse to
violence for the resolution of the conflict
in Guinea-Bissau, which led to the
deposition of the democratically elected President as well as to attacks on diplomatic
missions. The European Union also deplored the violation, by both parties, of the
Abuja agreement and of constitutional arrangements.

In this declaration, the European Union appealed to the various authorities in Guinea-
Bissau:

–

–

–

to work for national reconciliation, reconstruction and development;

to return to the process of democratisation based on the country’s
Constitution, and;

to take the necessary measures leading to the holding of free and fair
presidential and legislative elections in November.

Following this declaration, an interim president was nominated in accordance with
Guinea-Bissau’s constitutional procedures and the government of national unity has
remained in office. Since the Guinea-Bissau authorities have declared that they wish
to see relations with the European Union normalised as quickly as possible, the EU
must now verify that the conditions set out in its declaration of 18 May 1999 are being
respected.

Pursuant to Article 366a of the Lomé Convention, I should like to invite the ACP
party to consultations with a view to assessing the situation in detail.

These consultations should enable Guinea-Bissau to specify the measures that it
intends to take to meet the expectations expressed by the European Union in its
declaration of 18 May 1999, in particular with regard to the separation of civilian and
military powers, as well as the deadlines that it intends to set and respect.

I suggest that these consultations take place on ............ at.............. in the premises of
the Council of the Union.

Yours faithfully

For the Council

For the Commission

H.E. the Ambassador of ................
Chairman of the Committee of ACP Ambassadors
Brussels

Copy :

Guinea-Bissau Embassy

3