Cypriotische minister woonde bijeenkomst met Kaapverdië bij (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Cypriotisch voorzitterschap Europese Unie 2e helft 2012 i, gepubliceerd op woensdag 17 oktober 2012.

Cyprus’ Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis chaired the EU - Cape Verde Political Dialogue Ministerial Meeting which took place today, October 17 in Brussels. Dr. Marcoullis chaired the meeting on behalf of the EU High Representative of the Union on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton i.

Cape Verde’s External Relations Minister, Mr. Jorge da Silva Borges, co-chaired the meeting on behalf of the Republic of Cape Verde. This was the fifth such ministerial level meeting, which falls within the framework of the Special Partnership between the EU and Cape Verde.

The meeting focused on the EU- Cape Verde bilateral relations, as well as regional issues. The two parties also discussed the economic situation in Europe, as well as in Cape Verde.

Discussing the current situation in West Africa, the two parties devoted special attention to the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the region, as well as recent developments in Guinea Bissau and in the Sahel area. Both parties expressed serious concern for the instability in the region and called on all concerned to observe democratic principles and respect the rule of law.

Concerning the EU- Cape Verde bilateral relations, the two ministers expressed their satisfaction for the implementation of the Special Partnership, which was launched in 2007, and agreed to continue EU -Cape Verde dialogue and to build on joint activities. The parties also reviewed the progress made by Cape Verde and noted with satisfaction the ongoing consolidation of democracy and efforts for the modernisation of the state. Dr. Marcoullis, in her remarks, characterised Cape Verde as a political success story.

Ministers also welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on the EU- Cape Verde Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements. The Visa Facilitation agreement, which was pre-signed by Dr. Marcoullis on behalf of the EU, will be signed in Praia on October 26, 2012, on the occasion of the President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso i’s visit to Cape Verde.

Following the meeting, a joint Communiqué was issued by the two parties.