The government of Guatemala's unilateral announcement terminating the 2006 Agreement with the UN establishing the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) runs against its legal obligations towards the UN and several rulings of the Constitutional Court.

The EU fully concurs with the Secretary General of the United Nations that the government should allow CICIG to complete its work until its current mandate ends in September 2019, respecting the integrity of CICIG national and international personnel and affording them all necessary protection.

Since its establishment, CICIG has been working very successfully hand in hand with the Guatemalan judicial authorities to fight corruption, impunity and strengthen the rule of law. Its achievements were recognized through the renewal of its mandate on several occasions. CICIG has been benefiting from EU and EU Member States financial support since its creation. The EU reiterates its willingness to continue working on the strengthening of Guatemala's judicial system in cooperation with the country's authorities.

The EU also strongly supports the statement made by the local donor coordination group G13 on January 8 calling on the government of Guatemala to fully respect the country’s constitutional order, in particular the independence of the Constitutional Court. The EU considers that Guatemala must further strengthen its rule of law to guarantee stability. The EU will continue to closely monitor the situation and react in the light of events.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia* and Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Armenia align themselves with this declaration.

*The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.