The agreement, signed in Brussels on 28 August 2006, aims to step up consultation, co-operation and co-ordination between the Commission and the 53 member-strong International Organisation of Francophone countries (OIF) which was described by Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel as “a highly important partner for the European Commission, particularly in the area of conflict prevention and democratization”.
The structured dialogue established by the agreement will assist joint operations to promote democracy, human rights and cultural and linguistic diversity. OIF Secretary-General Abdou Diouf also welcomed the accord, saying that it responds to his wish “to step up consultation and coordination and pool efforts…to increase the effectiveness of co-operation and humanitarian aid”.
