COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION EN

Luxembourg, 24 April 2007 8825/07 (Presse 92)

11th ECOWAS-EU Ministerial Troika Meeting Luxembourg, 24 April 2007

FINAL COMMUNIQUE

1. The eleventh ministerial Troika meeting between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union (EU) was held in Luxembourg on 24 th April 2007 under the Co–Chairs of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration of , Her Excellency Mrs. Aïchatou Mindaoudou, standing for the current Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and His Excellency Mr. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CFSP and Secretary-General of the EU Council.

2. The ECOWAS Troika further included the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Dr. . The EU Troika was further composed of Mr. Günter Gloser, Minister of State of Germany, representing the current Presidency of the EU, Mr. Joáo Gomes Cravinho, Portuguese Secretary of State, EU Commissioner for Development, Mr. Louis Michel and the Presidency Special Representative for the Mano River Union. His Excellency Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the UNSG for , and Mr. Amadou Diop of the UEMOA Commission also attended the meeting as Observers.

P R E S S

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A. PEACE AND SECURITY

Côte d’Ivoire

3. ECOWAS and the EU welcomed the signing of the political agreement of 4 March 2007 in Ouagadougou between the President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Secretary-General of the Forces Nouvelles. They commended the personal engagement of 's President Blaise Compaoré in his facilitator role.

4. Both parties called upon the signatories to the agreement and other protagonists in the Ivorian crisis to respect the agreed timetable by implementing without delay the measures foreseen in the Ouagadougou Agreement so that the peace process defined in Security Council Resolution 1721 may be relaunched. In this respect, they welcomed the formation of a transitional government and the constitution of an integrated army command centre and looked forward to the early start of the electoral process. In order to bring the crisis in the country to a rapid end, both parties reiterated the need for the effective identification of populations and for the disarmament of armed groups, to create conditions for free, fair and transparent elections to be held as soon as possible.

5. Both parties commended former UNSG Special Representative Pierre Schori and UN High Representative for the elections Mr. Stoudmann, and former Prime Minister Konan Banny and the International Working Group for their contribution to peace in Côte d'Ivoire. They also stressed the need to ensure the appropriate participation of the international community and in particular the UN in the follow-up and monitoring of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement. Both parties also agreed to continue to follow closely the situation in the country.

Republic of

6. ECOWAS and the EU welcomed the appointment of Lansana Kouyaté as Prime Minister and the formation of a government of national unity following intense consultations with all political forces and civil society. Both constitute important steps in the implementation of the agreement signed between the government and the trade unions. Both parties expressed appreciation of the Guinean civil society and trade unions, whose constructive attitude has made a consensual resolution of the crisis possible. The EU commended ECOWAS for its mediation efforts which have been crucial in the easing of tension.

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7. ECOWAS and the EU greatly regret the loss of human life during the crisis and call on the new government to follow up on the efforts to bring the truth about the violence to light to ensure that the culprits do not go unpunished. They also encouraged the new government to undertake urgent economic and social reforms in order to improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens, and to give priority to the protection of human rights, in particular freedom of the media, and the rule of law in the country. The EU will resume a constructive dialogue, particularly on these last points, with the new Guinean authorities, in the framework of the consultations begun in 2004 pursuant to the Cotonou Agreement, with a follow-up mission early May.

8. ECOWAS and the EU encouraged all sides to accelerate their efforts to reform the electoral framework for free, fair and transparent parliamentary elections in 2007. In this respect, both parties called on the Guinean National Assembly to enact, without delay, the four draft electoral laws agreed through political dialogue with the opposition in 2006. The EU reiterated its readiness to support the democratisation process and informed ECOWAS of the agreement signed with UNDP for the creation of a basket fund for the elections. ECOWAS and the EU welcomed the appointment of a Special Representative of President of ECOWAS in Conakry to closely monitor the situation and to provide support. Both parties agreed to cooperate to facilitate the continued stability of the country through democratic reform.

Guinea Bissau

9. ECOWAS and the EU encouraged the new Government and all political actors in Guinea Bissau to solve their differences trough constitutional channels and to work together in a spirit of national reconciliation. The EU commended ECOWAS and UNOGBIS for their positive role in easing political tensions in the country. Both parties also encouraged the new government to stay focused on the improvement of the economic situation, as reflected in the 2006-2008 Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and on the necessary public administration and security sector reforms.

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10. Both parties welcomed the engagement of international partners at the second meeting of the International Contact Group on Guinea Bissau held in Lisbon on 26 March 2007 and its proposal to establish an economic governance framework, based on the precedent of the GEMAP in , as a mechanism that would help to restore confidence between donors and the Government of Guinea Bissau. ECOWAS welcomed the intention of the EU to explore possibilities to increase its engagement as regards security sector reform in Guinea Bissau. Both parties looked forward to an increased cooperation between the World Bank and the IMF and the country. ECOWAS and the EU will also continue to co-operate both on the ground and in the framework of the International Contact Group, by proposing the country for inclusion in the work of the UN Peace Building Commission. The parties looked forward to the upcoming high-level confidence-building mission of the ICG to Guinea-Bissau to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders.

B. DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION AND ELECTIONS

Cooperation in the field of democratic consolidation

11. Following their decision to strengthen their cooperation in the field of democratisation, ECOWAS and the EU have increased the exchange of information, including election observation final reports. ECOWAS welcomed the assistance provided to the ECOWAS electoral fund by the European Development Fund under the Conflict-prevention and Peace-building programme.

12. The EU commended ECOWAS for its contribution to election observation in the region, which will be further enhanced with its new Electoral Assistance Unit. ECOWAS and the EU welcomed the ECOWAS Handbook on election which is in its final stage and the strengthening of network of electoral commissions of countries in sub-region.

13. ECOWAS welcomed EU Election Observation Mission currently deployed in and the interest of the EU in observing the elections in Guinea, and . Both parties underlined the added value of regular cooperation between election observation missions when deployed simultaneously in the same country.

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Nigeria

14. EU and ECOWAS exchanged views on the electoral process in Nigeria. They commended the Nigerian people for their determination to engage in this process. They noted some positive elements, such as the freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary, in the context of these elections. The parties however deplored the organisational and procedural shortcomings as well as acts of violence that were carried by the preliminary reports of national, regional and international election observation missions.

ECOWAS and the EU called upon all parties to respect the legal procedures for dealing with complaints and for the completion of the electoral process.

15. ECOWAS and the EU trust the incoming government to continue addressing the root causes of violence and encouraged it to further pursue and deepen the reforms undertaken in the areas of the electoral system, the economic sector, the rule of law and good governance, mindful of the role that Nigeria endeavours to play for the stability of the subregion.

Sierra Leone

16. Both ECOWAS and the EU recognise the importance of the forthcoming elections for Sierra Leone for the consolidation of peace and democracy in the region and are considering to deploy election observation missions. Both parties underlined the importance of all political parties and their supporters respecting democratic rules and freedom of movement and expression during the election campaign and the need for an effective disputes settlement mechanism. ECOWAS and the EU congratulated Ms. Thorpe, Chair of the National Electoral Commission, for her able leadership in preparing for elections and the successful completion of the constituency boundary delimitation and voter registration processes and urged the Government, political parties and the people of Sierra Leone to work for free, fair and credible elections.

17. ECOWAS and the EU expect that the future Government of Sierra Leone will improve governance and accountability in Sierra Leone, as an indispensable condition for economic development. They also looked forward to the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and urged increased support to the Human Rights Commission and the engagement of civil society, government and Parliament in the process. ECOWAS and the EU welcomed the mission of the UN Peace Building Commission (PBC) to Sierra Leone and encouraged further dialogue between the PBC and actors on the ground.

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Togo

18. ECOWAS and the EU welcomed the work achieved so far in preparation for elections in June 2007, including the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission to grant secured identity cards to all voters and the measures taken to improve security during the electoral period. ECOWAS welcomed the assistance of the EU in cooperation with UNDP to the organisation of elections. Both parties are considering to engage in election observation and hoped that national observers will also participate. It is crucial that these elections take place in a peaceful environment to contribute to national reconciliation and the transition towards full democracy.

19. ECOWAS and the EU further welcomed progress made towards the implementation of the Global Political Agreement, in the framework of its Follow-up Committee. In this respect, both parties were encouraged by the opening of the Bureau of the High Commission for Human rights in Lomé and the role of the National Committee for Refugees in the return of refugees. Both parties hoped that the new Government will also address impunity and the necessary administrative and judicial reforms, as well as the security sector reform. ECOWAS and the EU reiterated their intention to continue supporting the country in its path towards democracy and development.

C. MIGRATION

20. ECOWAS and the EU adopted the mandate for their ECOWAS-EU Working Group on Migration and welcomed its first meeting held on the margins of this Ministerial troika. This Working Group will facilitate political dialogue between ECOWAS and the EU on migration issues, acting as an interface between the African and European regional expertise and the political level and identifying fields of action for practical cooperation. It will put particular emphasis on promoting the development dimension of migration. It will also facilitate coordination between ECOWAS and the EU regarding their contribution to initiatives sponsored by Governments, other International Organisations and civil society in this field.

21. ECOWAS and the EU recalled the commitments reflected in the Conclusions of the ECOWAS-EU Ministerial Troikas of Vienna, of May 2006, and of Niamey, of October 2006. The two Parties underlined the need for strengthening the bilateral dialogue on issues related to migration and development and to take together action in this area. The two Parties welcomed the organisation of this first meeting of the Joint Group, which will allow to reinforce their cooperation, in a spirit of partnership, in areas to which both ECOWAS and the EU attach special importance.

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The meeting welcomed progress made by ECOWAS towards defining its Common Position on Migration. Both Parties agreed that the Joint Group should hold regular meetings, in principle twice once a year, back to back with the meetings of the ECOWAS-EU Ministerial Troika, on the basis of the mandate to be adopted by the Ministerial Troika on 24 April 2007. They also agreed that the next meeting should take place in Burkina Faso in October 2007.

D. HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

22. ECOWAS and the EU shared their views on the newly created Human Rights Council (HRC) and agreed to cooperate towards a better preparation of its meetings so that it will be able to fulfil its mandate responsibly and effectively, working in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation. Both parties agreed that the HRC should be a key player in the strengthening, the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world, inter alia through ongoing engagement on important human rights questions throughout the year. They will work closely and with other UN Member States to this end. Both parties also expressed their commitment to ensure that the effective protection of human rights will be integrated in all parts of the UN system. The EU acknowledged the establishment of the Network of West Africa Human Rights Institutions.

23. ECOWAS and the EU also discussed how to ensure that the Peace Building Commission (PBC) will have a central role in the UN system in the definition of peace building strategies for countries emerging from conflict and in enhancing co-ordination. They stressed that close cooperation with regional organisations and the involvement of all actors, including civil society, in countries concerned will be important for the Commission’s success. As important regional players in peace building, ECOWAS and the EU are committed to fully and actively contribute to the work of the Commission and to enhance its effective contribution to a peaceful future to post-conflict societies.

24. Both parties also welcomed the Adoption of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance .

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E. ECONOMIC INTEGRATION PROCESS AND THE EPA

25. ECOWAS and the EU welcomed the progress made in the negotiations.

26. Following the conclusion of the last chief negotiators meeting, held in Brussels on the 5th of February 2007, the parties agreed to accelerate the pace of the negotiations and of the work on accompanying measures with a view to produce ambitious deliverables for the next chief negotiators meeting in July.

27. Both parties stressed the importance to accelerate the 10th EDF ratification process.

F. EU AFRICA STRATEGY

28. ECOWAS and the EU welcomed progress made in the implementation of the EU Africa Strategy and in the elaboration of a joint EU-Africa Strategy, which involves wide consultation of civil society and should be adopted at the 2nd EU- Africa Summit in Lisbon in 2007.

G. ADOPTION OF A JOINT DECLARATION ON PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS (SALW)

29. ECOWAS and the EU adopted a Joint Declaration on Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) (see Annex). They agreed to cooperate closely in developing a more comprehensive and coherent approach, based on international law and human rights, equality and mutual accountability, to cover all the dimensions of the problem posed by the proliferation of SALW and their ammunition. Both parties further agreed to work together in the fight against the proliferation of SALW and their ammunition by supporting the implementation and enforcement of policies and legislation at the national level as well as the harmonisation of legislation to fight against illicit transfers, enhancing the management and security of stockpile of SALW and their ammunition. Both parties also called for the early ratification of ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials and agree to cooperate for its effective application.

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J. OTHER ITEMS

30. The EU congratulated ECOWAS for the creation of the ECOWAS Commission and the attribution of new competences to the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Parliament. Information was also provided regarding ECOWAS Standby Force, which will be a valuable contribution to the African Standby Force. The EU welcomed these steps towards further regional integration and improved governance at regional level.

31. Both parties recalled the importance of making further progress in the implementation of the ECOWAS-EU-UNOWA Framework of Action for Peace and Security.

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