Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the EU's reaction to the positive developments in Togo

Press release 280/2006
7 August, 2006

The European Union welcomes the recent political developments in Togo, in particular the recent progress in the political dialogue. The Togolese authorities' agreement to the sending of a mission of two United Nations Special Rapporteurs, on torture and on extrajudicial executions, is a further positive sign. The European Union also commends the agreement reached between the Togolese Government and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the establishment of an office in Lomé in September.

For these reasons the European Union has decided to release Stabex 90-94 funds totalling EUR 15 800 000 in favour of Togo. Those funds will be used to implement measures in favour of small producers, in order to make the agricultural sectors more dynamic. The European Union is pleased to be able to contribute in this way to the development and well-being of the Togolese rural population.

The European Union will, of course, continue to follow closely the development of the situation in Togo and in particular the effective implementation of the agreements mentioned above.