The European Union is watching closely the discussion concerning the revision of the
Constitution, while noting that any changes to the Constitution have to be decided by the
people and the institutions of Cameroon.
The European Union recalls that the Constitution adopted in 1996 was the outcome of
political dialogue and the democratic expression of the will of the people. It emphasises the
importance of the proposals for constitutional revision being subjected to a broad, free and
open debate that involves all elements of Cameroonian society.
In this context, the European Union remains convinced that the possibility of a changeover
of power, the freedom of the press and the guaranteeing of public freedoms are
fundamental to the consolidation of democracy, and draws attention to the urgent need to
improve the electoral system and the standard of voter turnout, these being guarantors of
the stability that the country needs.
The European Union condemns the violence that occurred at the end of February and the
attempts at ethnic manipulation that followed. It reiterates its support for Cameroon's
economic and social development, with a particular orientation towards the weakest and
most disadvantaged sections of the population.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential
candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as
Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this
declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the
Stabilisation and Association Process.