2006/450/EC: Council Decision of  27 June 2006  amending Decision 2003/631/EC adopting measures concerning Liberia under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement in a case of special urgency
Date: 2006-06-27
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Liberia, agreement (EU), cooperation policy, democratisation, establishment of peace, human rights, rule of law, the EU's international role

1.7.2006

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Official Journal of the European Union

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II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 27 June 2006

amending Decision 2003/631/EC adopting measures concerning Liberia under Article 96 of the
ACP-EC Partnership Agreement in a case of special urgency

(2006/450/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement signed in
Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (1), (hereinafter referred to as the
ACP-EC Agreement),

the governments of

Having regard to the internal agreement between the represen-
tatives 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 Part-
nership Agreement (2), and in particular, Article 3 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

(3)

(4)

(5)

of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement in a case of special
urgency (4) provides for the adoption of further appro-
priate measures within the meaning of Article 96(2)(b)(c)
of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement.

Council Decision
Decision 2003/631/EC, extends the validity of
measures to 30 June 2006.

2005/16/EC (5), which

amends
these

The measures undertaken by the Liberian government in
a very difficult budgetary situation attest to its determi-
nation to make headway in line with the principles of
good governance, respect for human rights and the rule
of law.

It is therefore convenient to lift the appropriate measures
concerned, adopted under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Part-
nership Agreement,

Whereas:

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

(1)

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

(2)

Council Decision 2003/631/EC of 25 August 2003
adopting measures concerning Liberia under Article 96

(1) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3. Agreement as amended by the
Agreement signed in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005 (OJ L 287,
28.10.2005, p. 4).

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

Article 1

The appropriate measures adopted under Article 96 of
ACP-EC Partnership Agreement are hereby lifted.

the

Article 2

An intensive political dialogue shall continue on the basis of
Article 8 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement. The content of
this political dialogue is set out in the annexed letter to the
President of Liberia.

(4) OJ L 220, 3.9.2003, p. 3.
(5) OJ L 8, 12.1.2005, p. 12.

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This Decision shall take effect on the day of its adoption.

Article 3

Article 4

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

Done at Luxembourg, 27 June 2006.

For the Council
The President

J. PRÖLL

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ANNEX

LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA

Brussels, …

HE Ms Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

President of Liberia

Madam,

By letter No SGS4/15736 of 23 December 2004, the European Union notified the government of Liberia of
its intention to extend to 30 June 2006 the validity of the appropriate measures adopted by the Council on
25 August 2003. That letter stipulated that the measures would be cancelled once a democratically elected
and accountable president and government had been installed.

The European Union is pleased to see that the new government elected in October and November 2005
appears determined to introduce democratic change and reform the working of the public sector. The
European Union is particularly pleased that:

— the parliamentary and presidential elections of October and November 2005 were free, transparent and

fair,

— freedom of expression and press freedom are respected,

— the government is backing, and actively taking part in, the implementation of the Governance and

Economic Management Assistance Programme (GEMAP).

A number of difficulties are nevertheless delaying performance of the government's commitments in the
area of human rights and the rule of law, as follows:

— the Commission on Human Rights is in the process of being reorganised following the appointment of

new commissioners by the government,

— few prosecutions have been brought against members of the security forces guilty of serious human

rights violations,

— the new security forces are not yet fully operational,

— the overhaul of the justice system is still under way,

— the Truth and Reconciliation Commission should be operational in June 2006, but the budget allocated

to it is not sufficient to enable it to perform all its tasks.

Further progress is therefore needed in the area of human rights and the rule of law.

In view of the above, the European Union believes that the Liberian government is showing the right
attitude and a satisfactory determination to improve the situation in the country. The European Union
would like to encourage the Liberian government to continue down this road.

It is therefore convenient to lift the appropriate measures adopted under Article 96 of the ACP-EC
Partnership Agreement.

An enhanced, structured political dialogue based on Article 8 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement will be
conducted in order to continue strengthening respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law and
good governance. The political dialogue will concern:

— follow-up of action against corruption and implementation of the GEMAP,

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— the progress made by the Commission on Human Rights and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,

— the reforms of the justice and security sectors,

— ensuring active follow-up of the results of external audits of parastatal agencies and government financial

institutions,

— the prosecution of those involved in violations of human rights.

At their first meeting in the framework of the enhanced Article 8 political dialogue, the parties will establish
the commitments to be given by the Liberian government.

Yours faithfully,

For the Commission

For the Council