EU Foreign Policy towards Somalia
We contacted with the Royal Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs and asked them about the Danish Foreign Policy on Somalia. The response we got from the Ministry was to refer to the European Union Council Conclusions (Foreign Ministers) of 13 December 2004 from the European Unions as well as to the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of 15 July 2005 on Somalia.
Understandably the Danish Foreign Policy on Somalia is based upon the collective European Foreign Policy regarding Somalia.
Here is the EU Council (Foreign Ministers) Conclusions:
Welcoming the positive results of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) efforts, the Council reviewed recent developments in Somalia, in particular the agreement on a Transitional Federal Charter, the establishment of the Transitional Federal Parliament, the election of Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed as President of the Somali Transitional Federal Government and the appointment of Ali Mohamed Ghedi as Prime Minister.
- The Council looks forward th the early establishment of a broad-based government in Somalia and stresses the political challenges ahead: Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR), internal reconciliation, peaceful dialogue with Somaliland and maintaining regional cohesion and support.
- The Council reiterated its support for the efforts of all parties in Somalia.
- It also expressed the need for continued international engagement and structured support based on joint principles and structures for co-ordination with the Transitional Federal Institutions.
- The European Union stands ready to work with the United Nations and all relevant international organisations in supporting the peace and reconciliation process and the transition to a federal state in Somalia.
- Furthermore the European Union stands ready to assist a Transitional Federal Government in accordance with the arrangements to be agreed between the government and the international community as endorsed by the Stockholm Meeting of 29 October.
Recalling the objectives of EU policy towards Somalia as set out in Council conclusions of 22 July 2002, the Council considered that the promotion and protection of human rights, the restoration of the rule of law, democracy and good governance in Somalia, is the only effective way to provide social and economic recovery and to eradicate the threat of terrorism.
The support of the International Community is essential to help stabilise the situation in Somalia. The role and support of IGAD and neighbouring countries will be particularly important, also with a view to achieving regional stability. The Council further stressed that the continued Somali peace and reconciliation process is and must be Somali owned.
The Council notes the ongoing discussions at AU level on security issues and on the deployment of an AU observer mission to support the reconciliation process. The EU stands ready, based on an AU request, to examine ways of support to these efforts, inter alia through the Africa Peace Facility. The Council further underlined that the establishment of a secure environment in Somalia will require an effective and internationally verifiable cease-fire agreement. In this regard, the Council welcomed the public declaration made by all presidential candidates to hand over their weapons to the new government as a first step.
In accordance with the proceedings of the Stockholm meeting of 29 October, the Council underlined the importance of the UN taking up a lead role in the international support of a new Somali government. As an interim arrangement a troika consisting of UN, IGAD and the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) should lead the continued process on the side of the international community.
The Council asked the Commission and the High Representative to remain actively involved in the support of Somalia during the transition period and to provide necessary means in order to consolidate the formation and installation of Transitional Federal Institutions and the creation of a secure environment in Somalia. The Council noted that the EU will continue to provide direct assistance to existing areas of tranquillity. It will closely co-operate and co-ordinate with other donors and relevant institutions in order to maximise the impact of EU resources during the reconstruction process.
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Sources: Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.