The Council of the European Union are today meeting in Brussels to discuss, amongst other issues, the political situation in Fiji.

In a statement issued, the EU is concerned about the re-invocation of the Public Emergency Regulation in Fiji as of yesterday by the Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

The statement goes on to say that the re-invocation and the measures associated with it, appear to be in contravention of Commitment Number 2 under Section 3 of the list of commitments the Interim Government made to the European Union in Brussels on 18th April, as part of consultations under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.

Commitment Number 2 states that, at that time, the Interim Government intends to lift the Public Emergency Regulation in May 2007 subject to any threats to national security, public order and safety.

In the EU's assessment, it is not apparent which threats to national security, public order and safety exist, to justify such a drastic measure as bringing back the Public Emergency Regulations.