2003/631/EC: Council Decision of 25 August 2003 adopting measures concerning Liberia under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement in a case of special urgency
Date: 2003-08-25
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Liberia, agreement (EU), establishment of peace

3.9.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 220/3

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 25 August 2003

adopting measures concerning Liberia under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement in a
case of special urgency

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

(4)

(2003/631/EC)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular the second subparagraph of
Article 300(2) thereof,

the governments of

Having regard to the internal agreement between the represen-
the Member States, meeting
tatives of
within the Council, on measures to be taken and procedures to
be followed for the implementation of the ACP-EC Partnership
Agreement (1), and in particular, Article 3 thereof,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

It is consequently necessary to review the conditions
under which funds set aside for Liberia can be made
available in order to allow support to the peace process
in Liberia in particular through possible support
to
peacekeeping operations, a demobilisation and reintegra-
tion programme,
institution building and restoring
democratic structures,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Council Decision 2002/274/EC of 25 March 2002
concluding consultations with Liberia under Articles 96
the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement (2)
and 97 of
provides for the adoption of the appropriate measures
within the meaning of Article 96(2)(c) and of Article
97(3) of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement.

The essential elements cited in Article 9 of the ACP-EC
Partnership Agreement continue to be violated by the
Government of Liberia and the current conditions in
Liberia do not ensure respect for human rights, demo-
cratic principles and the rule of law.

The political and security situation in Liberia has deterio-
rated dramatically since the date of adoption of Decision
2002/274/EC. This situation constitutes therefore a case
of special urgency within the meaning of Article 96(2)(b)
of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement.

The measures specified in the annexed draft letter addressed to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia are hereby adopted as
appropriate measures in a case of special urgency within the
meaning of Article 96(2)(b) and (c) of the ACP-EC Partnership
Agreement. These measures shall expire on 31 December
2004. This date does not preclude any specific expiry date
contained in the financial instruments covered by this Decision.

Article 2

The measures taken by the Community referred to in Article 2
of Decision 2002/274/EC shall no longer apply as from the
entry into force of this Decision.

The outcome of the consultations as set out in the draft letter
annexed to Decision 2002/274/EC shall remain unaffected.

Article 3

(1) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 376.
(2) OJ L 96, 13.4.2002, p. 23.

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

L 220/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

3.9.2003

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 4

Done at Brussels, 25 August 2003.

For the Council

The President

F. FRATTINI

ANNEX

DRAFT LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF LIBERIA

H.E. Mr Monie Captan
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Liberia

Dear Minister,

The European Union is deeply concerned about the prevailing security situation in your country and wishes to assist in
returning peace and stability. It has therefore the intention to provide financial support to a peacekeeping operation in
Liberia. The European Union also wishes to make funds available for other measures to accompany the peace process
once a comprehensive peace agreement has been reached and signed.

The Community has therefore decided to replace the measures as outlined in its letter No SGS 272745 of 27 March
2002 with the following new measures, motivated by a case of special urgency within the meaning of Article 96(2)(b) of
the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, as regards the implementation of its aid:

— regular follow-up will be ensured by means of a close political dialogue involving the Presidency of the European

Union and the European Commission, and six-monthly political reviews,

— implementation of current projects funded under Article 72 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, amounting at the

moment to EUR 25 million and intended to meet the needs of displaced persons, will be continued,

— contributions to regional projects, operations of a humanitarian nature, trade cooperation and trade-related prefer-

ences are not affected,

— institution support to allow for the implementation of the measures aimed at fulfilling undertakings given within the

consultations can be provided,

— Chapter 1 of Annex 4 to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement is suspended. The balances remaining for Liberia from
the 8th EDF shall be available forthwith for implementation. The funds shall cover support to the peace process in
Liberia that could include support to a peacekeeping operation in Liberia, a demobilisation and reintegration
programme, institution building and restoring efficient democratic structures,

— notification of the 9th EDF allocation will be made once the comprehensive peace agreement is in force and the
signatory parties to the agreement have shown commitment to implement the agreement as foreseen. The decision
to notify will be made following a six-monthly political review as set out in the first indent. The suspension of
Chapter 1 of Annex 4 to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement as set out in the preceding indent will not apply to the
implementation of the 9th EDF allocation,

— the Commission will continue to exercise the function of national authorising officer on behalf of the latter for the

implementation of the balances remaining from the 8th EDF as provided for above.

The European Union will continue to follow closely the situation in Liberia. We propose that our intensive political
dialogue should continue, on the basis of Article 8 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and on the basis of the
outcome of the consultations as set out in our letter No SGS 272745 of 27 March 2002.

Yours faithfully,

For the Commission

For the Council