EU Council Conclusions on Somalia

2780th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

1. Recalling its conclusions of 22 January 2007, the Council reaffirms its support for the implementation of the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC) through the consolidation of broad-based and inclusive Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) and the reestablishment of effective and representative governance. It emphasises that a comprehensive and inclusive political process, reaching out to all sectors of Somali society, is a necessary pre-condition for the achievement of lasting stability and reconciliation.

2. The Council therefore welcomes President Abdullahi Yusuf's commitment announced at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa to launch a national, broad-based process of inter-Somali dialogue, involving representatives of clans, civil society, business community, religious and political groups. The EU hopes that this process will start as early as possible and is ready to assist in this dialogue.

3. The Council reaffirms the EU's willingness to assist efforts to bring about genuine and credible dialogue for reconciliation, including through support for reconciliation conferences and capacity building for administrative and political institutions, on the basis of concrete and monitorable steps. It looks forward to continuing contacts with representatives from the TFIs on the necessary steps towards towards reconciliation and the reconstruction of Somalia.

4. The Council calls on the Somali government to lift the state of emergency as soon as possible. In particular, the Council looks forward to the early establishment of conditions that would allow the Transitional Federal Parliament to fully assume the role entrusted to it by the TFC and to convene in Mogadishu as soon as possible, with all its members present.

5. The Council welcomes current efforts to establish the Africa Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in order to support political dialogue and create conditions for the stabilisation of the country and the withdrawal of foreign forces from Somalia. It stresses the EU's will to contribute to the financing of AMISOM through the African Peace Facility, as soon as the necessary requirements have been met, including a relevant UN Security Council resolution. The EU will consider possible logistical and technical support for AMISOM, as appropriate.

6. The Council underlines the vital role of the UN in contributing to the longer-term stability of Somalia. The EU underscores the importance to promote regional confidence building and that stabilisation in Somalia facilitates broader stability in the Horn of Africa region. The Council welcomes the outcome of the Somalia International Contact Group meeting in Dar-es-Salam on 9 February.

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