CFSP Statement
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Guinea-Bissau

Date of release : 01-06-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

The European Union expresses its grave concern for the evolution of the situation in Bissau and in particular, the occupation of the presidential palace by Mr Kumba Yala.

The European Union strongly condemns this attitude as well as Mr Yala's recent declarations, which constitute a blatant violation of the transitional charter and represent a grave attempt against the successful conclusion of the political transition through the conduct of a presidential election on 19 June that is credible, free, fair and transparent, in line with international standards for democratic elections.

The European Union commends the determination of the political and military leaders of Guinea-Bissau to remain loyal to the legitimate State institutions and strongly encourages them to make all possible efforts to continue guaranteeing that the constitutional order and the election date be respected.

 The European Union will continue to work closely with the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), in order to ensure the full return to democratic legitimacy in Guinea-Bissau. In this regard, it should be noted that an EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has been deployed in Guinea Bissau for the presidential election.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.