Europese Commissie wil betrekkingen met Liberia normaliseren (en) - Hoofdinhoud

After a four year suspension, the European Commission has decided to propose to the Council to normalise relations with Liberia. A recent EU mission to Liberia concluded the Government is committed to building a well governed and democratic country. In light of this the Commission has proposed the Council to resume normal cooperation under the Cotonou Agreement, which was partially suspended in March 2002 due to the failure of Liberia's leaders to respect human rights, the rule of law and democracy. This reinstatement sends a strong message of political support to the Liberian people.

The Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel i, said: "This decision marks a turning point in our relationship with Liberia. The commitment of the Liberian Government under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to democratic change and good governance puts Liberia firmly on the path to recovery. The progress Liberia's government has made in the past year allows us to commit our support to this recovery through the Cotonou Agreement".

The Council decision to apply "appropriate measures" under the Cotonou Agreement (the partnership agreement between the EU and 77 countries in Africa, the Caribbean region and the Pacific Islands) was extended in August 2003 and again in December 2004. The decision expires on 30 June 2006.

An EU mission in April this year concluded that Liberia's government, led since January 16th by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is committed to democratic change and building a stable and prosperous country. Liberia held elections in October 2005 which an EU election monitoring mission considered free, transparent and fair. Despite facing many challenges, Liberia is ready to engage actively in the Cotonou Agreement. The Commission is satisfied that the Government respects freedom of expression and press, and is committed to fighting corruption and reforming the public sector.

15 years of civil war destroyed much of Liberia's economy. The new Government's determination to improve the lives of Liberia's three million inhabitants will require the continued financial support of the international community. During the partial suspension of the Cotonou Agreement, the Commission remained committed to helping meet the needs of the Liberian people and will have provided a total of €160 million between 2002 and 2007.

The current discussions on the programming of the 10th European Development Fund for the period 2008-2013 provide an opportunity to enhance this support and extend it to the key socio-economic areas.