COUNCIL DECISION
of 18 July 2011
concerning the conclusion of consultations with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau under Article 96 of the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part
(2011/492/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (1) and revised at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on 22 June 2010 (2) (the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement), and in particular Article 96 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 (3), and in particular Article 3 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
In conjunction with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1)
The essential elements referred to in Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement have been violated.
(2)
On 29 March 2011, pursuant to Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, consultations started with Guinea-Bissau in the presence of representatives of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, including the African Union, Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) during which representatives of the Guinea-Bissau government presented satisfactory proposals and undertakings.
(3)
Consequently, the consultations opened under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement should be closed and appropriate measures adopted for the performance of these undertakings,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Consultations with Guinea-Bissau under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement are hereby concluded.
Article 2
The measures set out in the annexed letter are hereby adopted as appropriate measures under Article 96(2)(c) of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
It shall expire on 19 July 2012.
It shall be reviewed regularly at least once every six months, preferably in the light of joint monitoring missions by the European External Action Service and the Commission.
Done at Brussels, 18 July 2011.