2002/148/EC: Council Decision of 18 February 2002 concluding consultations with Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement

Council Decision
of 18 February 2002
concluding consultations with Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement
(2002/148/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 300(2), second subparagraph, thereof,
Having regard to the Internal Agreement on measures to be taken and procedures to be followed for the implementation of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000(1), as put into provisional application by Decision of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of 18 September 2000, and in particular Article 3 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The essential elements cited in Article 9 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement have been violated by the Government of Zimbabwe.
(2) Consultations under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement were held on 11 January 2002 with Zimbabwe, at which the Zimbabwean authorities explained their point of view and made specific commitments that are still insufficient as regards ending violence, the holding of free and fair presidential elections on 9 and 10 March 2002, in particular allowing access for international election observers and for the media.
(3) Recent events in Zimbabwe's political development have been taken into consideration, as well as the fact that certain important measures concerning the essential elements of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement have still not been adequately implemented. Restrictive legislation which has been recently adopted and the escalation of violence and intimidation of political opponents seriously undermine the freedom of expression, of association and of peaceful assembly in Zimbabwe,