Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Over the weekend, contacts by a number of senior European Union officials continued with the parties related to the file of the recent military coup in Niger, according to what Josep Borrell, the European foreign policy coordinator, pledged in a statement issued in Brussels, stating, "The European Union does not and will not recognize the authorities." Resulting from the coup d'état in Niger. President Bazoum was democratically elected. He is the only legitimate president of Niger and still is. He must be released unconditionally and without delay. The European Union holds the putschists responsible for his safety and the safety of his family. The statement said, "The putschists' announcement suspended the constitution The dissolution of democratic institutions weakens the state of Niger and its people, whose peace, stability and security must be preserved.
Through the statement, the European Union reiterated its very clear calls for the full restoration, without delay, of constitutional order and fully endorses the declarations made by ECOWAS and its African and international partners in this regard. In coordination with the President of the European Council, this weekend I will continue the many contacts already underway in order to achieve this result. We are ready to support the upcoming decisions of the Economic Community of West African States, including the adoption of sanctions.
The European statement concluded by saying, "This unacceptable attack on the safety of republican institutions in Niger will not remain without consequences for the partnership and cooperation between the EU and Niger in all its various aspects. In this regard, in addition to the immediate suspension of budgetary support, all security cooperation activities have been suspended to indefinitely and with immediate effect.