The European Commission asked European Union (EU) member states on Wednesday to consider suspending cooperation with Fiji after a military take-over last month.

The commission, the executive body of the EU, proposed the opening of consultations under an agreement between the EU and 76 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP).

This move reflects continuing concern about the situation in Fiji regarding human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, and could ultimately lead to the suspension of EU cooperation with Fiji, said the commission.

"I have proposed to the EU member states to take this step because of human rights abuses, breach of democratic principles and lack of respect for the rule of law," said Louis Michel, EU commissioner for development and humanitarian aid.

"With the welfare of the people of Fiji in mind, we hope that the situation can be remedied through consultations and that we can avoid suspension of our cooperation."

The military take-over in Fiji on Dec. 5, 2006 was neither legal nor constitutional and represents a major backward step for democracy in Fiji, said the commission.

It is damaging to its institutions, its economy, its social situation and its international standing, it added.

Fiji is a signatory to the EU-ACP agreement. Following the military take-over Fiji is in serious breach of the essential elements of the agreement, which conditioned the partnership on respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, said the commission.

Source: Xinhua