EU delegation to visit Guinea in bid to boost ties

A three-man European Union delegation is scheduled to arrive in the Guinean capital Conakry on Monday in a bid to further ties after the West African country suffered a military coup and a deadlock over the holding of the delayed legislative election. The team led by Sean Doyle, head of the EU external aid, is to stay for three days during which they will meet members of government and the opposition before holding talks with President Alpha Conde, the government said on Sunday. The other two European officials include Alina Stanciulescu in charge of international relations and Aurelie Konen, coordinator for Guinea. Under a Cotonou accord signed in 2011, the EU is to pursue regular political dialogue with the Guinean government on human rights, democracy, the rule of law and governmental reforms. The document paved the way for both sides to resume ties after the EU suspended cooperation with Guinea following the massacre of opposition supporters on Sept. 28, 2010 by the military under former junta leader Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara.