2004/157/EC: Council Decision of 19 February 2004 extending the period of application of the measures in Decision 2002/148/EC concluding consultations with Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement

Council Decision
of 19 February 2004
extending the period of application of the measures in Decision 2002/148/EC concluding consultations with Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement
(2004/157/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 2000/771/EC of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of 18 September 2000(2), and in particular Article 3 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas:
(1) By Council Decision 2002/148/EC(3), the consultations with the Republic of Zimbabwe pursuant to Article 96(2)(c) of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement were closed and appropriate measures, as specified in the Annex to that Decision, were taken.
(2) By Decision 2003/112/EC, the application of the measures referred to in Article 2 of Decision 2002/148/EC has been extended for a further period of 12 months. In accordance with Article 1 of Decision 2003/112/EC, the measures shall cease to apply on 20 February 2004.
(3) The essential elements cited in Article 9 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement continue to be violated by the Government of Zimbabwe and the current conditions in Zimbabwe do not ensure respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law.
(4) The period of application of the measures should therefore be extended,