EU ready to support Burkina Faso on 'path to stability'

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The European Union is ready to support Burkina Faso on its 'path to stability,' an official said Friday at the opening of the 14th session of political dialogue in the capital, Ouagadougou.

Talks between Burkina Faso and EU and its member states is in line with a partnership agreement between member states of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), on one part, and the European Community and its member states signed in Cotonou, Benin in June 2000.

The agreement recommends regular holding of such a dialogue leading to mutual commitments.

“We remain mobilized to support your country on the path to stability and development. The European Union is ready to deepen cooperation in the field of security,” Wolfram Vetter, Head of the European Union Delegation said at the meeting.

The meeting observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of last weekend’s attack in northern Burkina Faso which left more than 50 people dead.

The meeting is assessing the state of cooperation and exchange on major issues of common interest such as security, political, humanitarian, development, decentralization, state presence and basic services in fragile areas.

According to Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Alpha Barry, a new broad agreement to be signed at the meeting will replace the Cotonou agreement.

The new agreement “broadens areas of our cooperation in order to better meet current and future challenges,” he said.

“I am convinced that the new agreement will contribute to the strengthening of our cooperation and will be a springboard for the promotion of the economic and social development of the ACP countries,” he added.