Note:Your browser doesn't correctly display this page because of a bad stylesheets interpretation. This is probably due to an old browser version.
The European Union expresses its support for the new initiatives taken by the African Union through its Peace and Security Council, in particular, the appointment of a special envoy to facilitate dialogue between the Togolese parties. The Council's meeting in Addis Ababa on 27 May followed on from the miniSummit held in Abuja on 19 May under the chairmanship of President Obasanjo, and ECOWAS' efforts to find a solution acceptable to all.
In this regard, the European Union reiterates its encouragement to the leaders of all Togolese political forces to realise their commitment to the national reconciliation process and to achieve a satisfactory and inclusive transition. It welcomes the start of discussions between the executive power and the opposition, and calls on all political players to cooperate with the African Union's special envoy and to work together for national reconciliation.
The European Union also welcomes the African Union's decision to send an observer mission to monitor the political, security, social and humanitarian situation, as well as the human rights situation in the country. It notes the Togolese authorities' decision to set up a commission of enquiry "into the acts of violence and vandalism which took place before, during and after the Presidential election". The European Union urges that there should be impartial, exhaustive and credible investigations into the acts of violence against the civilian population. It wishes to stress the importance of respecting human rights and dispensing justice, so as to ensure a peaceful transition process. It also calls on the Togolese authorities to create the right conditions to ensure that refugees return home.
The European Union declares that it is ready to support the national reconciliation process, and it will continue to monitor the political situation in Togo closely, particularly in relation to the twentytwo engagements undertaken by the Togolese Government during the consultations under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement and the Council Decision of 15 November 2004.
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.
Copyright © Luxembourg Government