
Article 1 
The period of validity of Decision 2011/492/EU is extended by 12 months. To that end, in the second paragraph of Article 3 of Decision 2011/492/EU, the date ‘19 July 2012’ is replaced by ‘19 July 2013’.
Article 2 
The letter in the Annex to this Decision shall be communicated to the authorities of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
Article 3 
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 16 July 2012.
For the Council
The President
S. ALETRARIS
ANNEX

Further to the consultations which took place in Brussels on 29 March 2011 in the framework of Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, the European Union decided on 18 July 2011, by Council Decision 2011/492/EU to adopt appropriate measures, including a scheme of mutual commitments for the gradual resumption of EU cooperation.
Twelve months after the adoption of that Decision, the European Union considers that no progress has been made and that the coup d’état by armed forces on 12 April 2012 has pushed the process significantly backwards. It therefore decides to extend the period of application of its Decision 2011/492/EU by 12 months until 19 July 2013.
The European Union recalls the Council Conclusions on the Republic of Guinea-Bissau adopted on 23 April 2012, underlines once again the importance that it attaches to future cooperation with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and confirms its willingness to, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 2048 (2012) of 18 May 2012, accompany the Republic of Guinea-Bissau towards the restoration of constitutional order and a situation where the resumption of full cooperation becomes possible.
The European Union supports the concerted efforts of international partners to restore stability, democracy and respect for human rights in the Republic of Guinea Bissau.

Yours faithfully,For the Council
The President
C. ASHTON
For the Commission
Commissioner
A. PIEBALGS