ACP/EU relations, Lome IV Convention: human rights, democratisation, article 366 a for consultations

This second basic Council proposal largely corresponds with the Commission's 1996 proposal, comprising the following points: -the establishment of an appropriate procedure to be followed if a party to the Lomé Convention considers that another party has failed to comply with an essential element of the Convention (respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law), -the Council to decide by a qualified majority, on a proposal by the Commission, what measures, if any, should be taken (including partial suspension of the Convention), -the Council to decide unanimously on cases of total suspension of the benefits of the Convention, -the European Parliament to be informed immediately and in full concerning the measures taken vis-à-vis an ACP State under this decision.�