The Republic of Guinea (also called Guinea-Conakry, after its capital, to differentiate it from the other Guineas) is situated in west Africa and has borders with six other countries. It has a surface area of 245 857 km² and its population was estimated at 9 800 000 in 2008. Since its independence in 1958, Guinea has known only dictatorial regimes, elections have never been really free and the army has often played an excessive role in political life. In recent years, successive popular movements – protesting against poverty or for free elections – have been repressed, sometimes bloodily.

Despite the wealth and diversity of Guinea's natural resources, it ranks among the least advanced countries, with low income and food shortages. It is 170th out of 182 on UNDP's 2009 human development scale. The country's economy depends largely on mining, which provides its main exports (more than 80%). Guinea has half the world's reserves of bauxite, as well as producing gold and diamonds. It also has substantial reserves of iron ore, which cannot be exploited until the political situation has stabilised. Guinea's climate and landscape give it agricultural and hydroelectric potential.

Key issues in EU-Guinea Conakry relations

In 2009, the EU applied all the means at its disposal to pressurise the junta that took power after the coup in December 2008:

• restrictive measures (targeted sanctions, visas, blocked funds, arms embargo) following the bloody repression of a peaceful demonstration organised by the opposition in September 2009
• measures under Article 96 of the Cotonou agreement following the coup of 23 December 2008 - gradual resumption of cooperation conditional on power being handed back to the civil authorities after legislative and presidential elections
• withdrawal of the proposed fishing agreement and suspension of the first part of the financial contribution.

During the transitional period (2010), assistance falls under five main headings:

• continued humanitarian action and direct support to the population to reduce poverty
• strengthening transition to legitimate power through free and transparent elections
• fight against impunity, respect of human rights
• reforming the security sector
• stabilising the economic and financial situation.

Now is the time to plan for the structural reforms needed after the transitional period - in partnership with the legitimate Guinean authorities who will be in place after the 2010 presidential elections.

Cooperation is therefore gradually resuming. New projects are limited to the following areas: Humanitarian and emergency aid, direct support for the people, political transition and exiting the crisis. Signature of the next round of EDF funding will be possible only after free and transparent general elections, and once the duly elected representatives have actually taken office. The areas for funding will be re-examined in the light of the political situation and Guinea's priorities at the end of 2010.