Council Decision (EU) 2015/541

of 24 March 2015

repealing Decision 2011/492/EU concerning the conclusion of consultations with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (‘ACP’) Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 20001 (the ‘ACP-EU Partnership Agreement’), as amended2, and in particular Article 96 thereof,
Having regard to the internal agreement between the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on measures to be taken and procedures to be followed for the implementation of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement3, and in particular Article 3 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1)
By Council Decision 2011/492/EU4, consultations with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement were concluded and appropriate measures, as specified in the Annex to that Decision, were taken.
(2)
Those appropriate measures were extended until 19 July 2013 by Council Decision 2012/387/EU5 and, subsequently, until 19 July 2014 by Council Decision 2013/385/EU6. Council Decision 2014/467/EU7 extended the validity of Council Decision 2011/492/EU by one year, until 19 July 2015, but suspended the application of the appropriate measures.
(3)

Peaceful, free and credible legislative and presidential elections were held in Guinea-Bissau on 13 April and 18 May 2014 and constitutional order was restored in the country.

(4)

An inclusive government committed to implementing the reforms necessary for the development and stability of the country was established, and encouraging progress towards implementing the Article 96 commitments laid down in Council Decision 2011/492/EU has been made.

(5)

Guinea-Bissau remains fragile and the democratically elected authorities need the support of international partners to implement the country's reform programme and development agenda.

(6)

In order for the Union to support, together with other international partners, the ongoing efforts of national authorities to stabilise and consolidate the democratic institutions and promote the socioeconomic development of Guinea-Bissau, Council Decision 2011/492/EU should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: