EU REGRETS SUSPENSION OF POLITICAL DIALOGUE

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EU REGRETS SUSPENSION OF POLITICAL DIALOGUE

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Momodou

Denmark
11662 Posts

Posted - 14 Jan 2013 : 18:18:20

EU REGRETS SUSPENSION OF POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH GAMBIA
Foroyaa Burning Issues: Published on Monday, 14 January 2013
11 January 2013, Brussels - The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today on the suspension of political dialogue with the Gambia:

"The High Representative regrets that the political dialogue with the Gambia has been suspended by the Government of the Gambia until further notice. The EU underlines its continuing availability to discuss with the Gambian authorities on all aspects of EU-Gambia relations in a constructive dialogue based on shared commitments made under the Cotonou Agreement.

The High Representative remains concerned about the deterioration of the human rights situation in the Gambia, including the whereabouts of Imam Baba Leigh. She urges the Gambia to respect its international commitments, including those made towards the EU. The EU attaches importance to its partnership with the Gambia and hopes that the Government will allow the resumption of the political dialogue as soon as possible. If it is not possible to discuss the issues with the Gambian authorities, there are other provisions of the Cotonou Agreement, which apply to situations where dialogue on important commitments is no longer possible."Source: European Union

Source: Foroyaa

A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone

toubab1020

12306 Posts

Posted - 14 Jan 2013 : 19:38:05

What next by the EU politicians ?,sanctions ?.
A big hand for the person who is able to give the right answer as published evidence of EU intentions become clearer,but as it's total politics,perhaps nothing will occour,reading the Foroyaa article it's up to Gambia to initiate "the resumption of the political dialogue as soon as possible."

"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.

Nyarikangbanna

United Kingdom
1382 Posts

Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 04:41:02

What next? Well if the gambian authorities will not walk through the door to dialogue with EU delegates such that dialogue is not possible to take place, this will invoke Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, which does not necessarily mean sanction but can lead to the cancellation and withdrawal of all forms of EU aid and assistance to The Gambia.

Thanks

I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union.

toubab1020

12306 Posts

Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 11:32:34

So,thanks for that information, at the moment you are in the lead to take the BIG HAND accolade Nyarikangbanna

.
If the EU is not just "sabre rattling" and is serious about its intentions then such action as the Gambian government has taken in suspending political dialogue with the EU this action may have unfortunate consequences for the country,as usual in political things its about a waiting game .

quote:
Originally posted by Nyarikangbanna

What next? Well if the gambian authorities will not walk through the door to dialogue with EU delegates such that dialogue is not possible to take place, this will invoke Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, which does not necessarily mean sanction but can lead to the cancellation and withdrawal of all forms of EU aid and assistance to The Gambia.

Thanks

"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.

Edited by - toubab1020 on 15 Jan 2013 11:33:20

Nyarikangbanna

United Kingdom
1382 Posts

Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 15:28:17

Toubab, you got to reliase that what the gambian authorities have said to the gambian people and what they said to the EU are completely different things. To the gambian people; they said the dialogue is dead and will never take place. However, what the EU reported them saying to them is that dialogue is suspended till further notice; meaning 'we are not ready get'. Now that doesn't give the EU any cause to invoke Article 96 unless reasonable time has lapse and Gambia did not make good of their promise. In other words, it has to be absolutely and abundantly clear to the EU that the ROG (Republic of The Gambia) has abandoned the Dialogue Mechanism envisaged under the Cotonour Agreement before Article 96 can be invoked. Again, this does not mean sanction per se although under various treaty instruments and legislations, the EU Commission does have the power to impose such punitive measures especially if the issue concern borders on human rights, which is imperative to the EU and the rest of the civlised world.

The EU works with facts and within a legal frame work and in this case, that legal framework is the Cotonour Agreement. The facts are not complete as they are still evolving.

Thanks

I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union.

Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 15 Jan 2013 15:32:03

toubab1020

12306 Posts

Posted - 15 Jan 2013 : 16:53:43

Thanks Nyarikangbanna, so I was right all along when I wrote "as usual in political things its about a waiting game" you have been kind enough to explain to non politicos like me the thinking and steps that have to be considered before things get really serious .so again I think that my words "sabre rattling" were appropriate.
A pity no one else wishes to take part and maybe win THE BIG HAND ACCOLADE which you hold at the moment