Document ID: 32001D0334

Council Decision
of 9 April 2001
concluding consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement
(2001/334/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement signed at Cotonou (Benin) on 23 June 2000 as already put into anticipated application by Decision 1/2000 of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers,
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, 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 unconstitutional replacement of the democratically elected Government of Fiji and the repeal of the 1997 Constitution.
(2) Consultations under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement were held on 19 October 2000, at which the Fijian authorities explained their point of view and made specific commitments particularly as regards the timetable for constitutional revision, the holding of free and fair elections before the end of June 2002 and the bringing to justice of those responsible for the 19 May coup.
(3) Recent positive elements of Fiji's political development towards a return to a democratic system, which complement the above commitments, have also to be taken into consideration.
(4) Democratic government has yet to be fully restored in Fiji,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
Consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96(2)(c) of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement are hereby concluded.
Article 2
The measures specified in the attached draft letter are hereby adopted as appropriate measures within the meaning of Article 96(2)(c) of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement.
The Council shall revoke these measures once free and fair elections have taken place and a legitimate government has assumed office in Fiji, in conditions which ensure respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law.
This Decision shall be reviewed within six months.
Article 3
This Decision shall take effect on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
Done at Luxembourg, 9 April 2001.

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