Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-12-13-Speech-4-175"
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"en.20011213.12.4-175"2
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"The European Commission is concerned by the political climate in Togo. Though Mr Messan, a local journalist, and Mr Olympio, leader of an opposition party, have recently been released, Mr Agboyibo remains in prison. Recent reports suggest that more journalists have been arrested.
The European Union has several times conveyed its concern about the political climate to the government of Togo. It made representations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 17 August. On that occasion, the Union emphasised its desire that political parties and the media be able to operate freely. On 18 October, the Union issued a declaration reiterating its concerns, emphasising the importance it attaches to the freedom, openness and transparency of the electoral process and calling on President Eyadema to have Mr Agboyibo released.
The Commission has taken note of the government's decision to schedule parliamentary elections for 10 and 24 March next year. The Commission has earmarked about EUR 1.56 million to help prepare the elections. The funding will pay for electoral equipment and the printing of ballot papers. The financing agreement has been signed, the first contracts concluded and the first deliveries received.
The European Union has also accepted the invitation of Togo's Minister for Foreign Affairs to take part in the election observer mission. That participation could be coordinated by the United Nations, should it decide to take on that role. The conditions for organising and conducting the observer mission have yet to be established. The European Parliament is obviously very welcome to take part in the election observer mission.
The Commission is, however, disappointed that the government has still not signed the memorandum of understanding required for the deployment of EU observers, and it is continuing to urge the government to sign promptly.
The Commission continues to monitor political developments and respect for human rights closely, especially in view of the early parliamentary elections. It is ready to provide assistance for the preparation and conduct of the elections. The main objective of such assistance is to help the government establish the conditions for transparent, free and democratic elections that would enable the European Union to resume cooperation with Togo.
We have still to note that cooperation with Togo, save of course for operations directly benefiting the vulnerable and weak part of the population, has been officially suspended since fruitless consultations with that country ended in the latter half of 1998. We hope change is possible, but this is a very difficult case."@en1
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