Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000^f1 (hereinafter referred to as the ACP-EC Agreement), as amended by the Agreement signed in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005^f2, and in particular Article 96 thereof,

Having regard to the Internal Agreement on measures to be taken and procedures to be followed for the implementation of the ACP-EC Agreement^f3, and in particular Article 3 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

The essential elements referred to in Article 9 of the ACP-EC Agreement have been violated.

On 30 November 2005, pursuant to Article 96 of the ACP-EC Agreement, consultations started with the ACP countries and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania during which the Mauritanian authorities gave specific undertakings designed to remedy problems identified by the European Union and to implement those undertakings during a period of intensive dialogue lasting 120 days.

At the conclusion of this period some substantive initiatives have been taken in respect of some of the undertakings referred to above, and other undertakings have been fulfilled. Nevertheless several important measures concerning essential elements of the ACP-EC Agreement still have to be implemented,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: