Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-12-14-Speech-4-250"
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"en.20061214.48.4-250"2
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"Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the Commission agrees with Parliament. The military takeover in Fiji is indeed a matter of great concern to us all. Commissioner Michel has strongly condemned this seizure of power; it was also condemned by the Finnish Presidency and the European Union on 11 December 2006. The takeover has been condemned by Fiji’s ACP partners in the Pacific and by Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
These condemnations are more than mere words. They result in international isolation, which will have serious consequences for Fiji. It has already been suspended from the Commonwealth and cannot remain in the chair of the Pacific Forum.
The military takeover is a clear violation of Article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement and the essential parts of it concerning human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It means there will have to be consultations pursuant to Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement, which may lead to appropriate measures being taken to rectify the situation, including as a last resort suspension of development cooperation.
The European Union wishes to continue the dialogue with Fiji’s legitimate authorities to find a consensus and encourage Fiji’s return to democratic governance under the constitution.
The Commission is preparing a proposal for the opening of consultations under Article 96. The military takeover will damage the Fijian economy. The islands’ most important economic sector is tourism: it will now suffer as a result of the instability and the security situation. The interest rate has been raised, growth rates will suffer, the investment climate will deteriorate.
What has happened in Fiji is so serious that our continued cooperation is now at risk: much will depend on how the military behave in the next few days and weeks, in particular on how quickly they facilitate the return to democracy and the rule of law.
Mr President, I would like to thank the honourable Members who have spoken; I believe they are in agreement and show that everyone in the European Community is united on this."@en1
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