ACP Group pledges to help normalise relations with EC

A delegation from the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States that visited the Central African Republic (CAR) between 17 and 20 August has pledged to help the country to normalise relations with the EC, state-owned Television Centrafricaine reported on Wednesday. Quoting a legal adviser at the ACP secretariat, Alioune Senghor, who read out a statement marking the end of the delegation's visit, the radio reported that the "main aim of the ACP mission was to help the CAR government to better implement the commitments already taken within the framework of the consultations with the EC". During their visit, the delegation from the 79-member ACP met with CAR leader Francois Bozize, Prime Minister Abel Goumba; the UN Secretary-General’s Representative the CAR, Lamine Cisse; representatives of political parties; businessmen and the National Transitional Council. Senghor said the talks between the government officials and the ACP five-member delegation focused on the programme and calendar for the national reconciliation talks, elections and the restructuring of the army, as well as the government's anti-corruption campaign. "The results of the talks with all the CAR actors will certainly contribute to the normalisation of relations between the CAR and the EC," Senghor was quoted as saying. Following a coup on 15 March in which Bozize overthrew President Ange-Felix Patasse, the international community, including the EC, condemned that unconstitutional change in the country. However, the EC maintained some of its humanitarian and health sector programmes and, on 12 June, began consultations with the new administration over its international recognition. A final meeting before the EC makes its decision is scheduled for September. The national reconciliation talks have been scheduled for September and elections for the second half of 2004. Bozize has said the transition period would end in January 2005, when he would step down.