Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the Internal Agreement^f1 on measures to be taken and procedures to be followed for the implementation of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000^f2, and in particular Article 3 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

By Decision 2002/148/EC^f3, the consultations with the Republic of Zimbabwe under Article 96(2)(c) of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement were concluded and appropriate measures, as specified in the Annex to that decision, were taken.

By Decision 2005/139/EC^f4, the application of the measures referred to in Article 2 of Decision 2002/148/EC, which were extended until 20 February 2004 by Decision 2003/112/EC^f5 and until 20 February 2005 by Decision 2004/157/EC^f6, was extended until 20 February 2006.

The essential elements cited in Article 9 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement continue to be violated by the Government of Zimbabwe and the current conditions in Zimbabwe do not ensure respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law.

The period of application of the measures should therefore be extended,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: