EU begins consultations with Madagascar on return to democratic rule

As a representative of the EU Presidency, State Secretary for Development Cooperation Joakim Stymne has today begun political consultations in Brussels with Madagascar’s self appointed high authority (Haut Autorité Transitoire - HAT). The EU is beginning consultations following the military coup that took place on 17 March and the disturbances that followed.

The delegation from Madagascar was led by HAT’s President Andry Rajoelina. The aim of the consultations was to find out HAT’s intentions for a return to constitutional order and free elections.The EU has suspended its development work indefinitely, with the exception of humanitarian aid and support that directly benefits the popluation. After today's consultations, the EU deemed Madagascar's proposals to solve the situation insufficient for the EU to resume its cooperation at this stage. The EU will review its position if Madagascar can present more convincing proposals. The EU calls on the regime in Madagascar to continue the dialogue with all political actors in the country.

The Cotonotu agreement is the EU’s partnership agreement with 78 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific region. Article 9 lays down the fundamental principles on which the partnership agreement is built; respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law. If these fundamental principles are broken, which has been the case with Madagascar, the EU begins consultations in accordance with Article 96, with the breaking off of development cooperation as a possible consequence.