Council Decision

of 22 December 2004

amending Decision 2003/631/EC adopting measures concerning Liberia under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement in a case of special urgency

(2005/16/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, which entered into force on 1 April 2003, 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-EC Partnership Agreement [1], and in particular Article 3 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) Council Decision 2002/274/EC of 25 March 2002 concluding consultations with Liberia under Articles 96 and 97 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement [2], provides for the adoption of the appropriate measures within the meaning of Article 96(2)(c) and of Article 97(3) of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement.

(2) Council Decision 2003/631/EC of 25 August 2003 adopting measures concerning Liberia under Article 96 of the EC-ACP Partnership Agreement in a case of special urgency [3], provides for the adoption of new appropriate measures within the meaning of Article 96(2)(c) and of Article 97(3) of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement.

(3) The current conditions in Liberia do not yet ensure respect for democratic principles, governance and the rule of law.

(4) It is consequently necessary to extend the validity period of the measures provided for in Decision 2003/631/EC and to continue the intensive political dialogue with the Government of Liberia,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The measures referred to in Article 1 of Decision 2003/631/EC shall expire on 30 June 2006. This date does not preclude any specific expiry date contained in the financial instruments covered by this Decision.

The letter appearing in the Annex to this Decision shall be addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

Article 2

The outcome of the consultations, as set out in the draft letter annexed to Decision 2002/274/EC, shall remain unaffected.

Article 3

This Decision shall take effect on the day of its adoption.

Article 4

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2004.

For the Council

The President

C. Veerman

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[1] OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 376.

[2] OJ L 96, 13.4.2002, p. 23.

[3] OJ L 220, 3.9.2003, p. 3.

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