Johannesburg — Madagascar's self-appointed - and increasingly cash-strapped - high authority (Haute Autorité Transitoire - HAT) has been unable to convince the European Union (EU) that it has made progress towards constitutional order and fresh polls, dashing any prospect of renewed engagement and aid.

HAT President Andry Rajoelina met with EU officials in Brussels on 6 July, hoping to thaw some US$880 million in frozen aid, but the EU "failed to note any satisfactory proposals from the Malagasy side", an EU statement said.

Denouncing the forcible transfer of power in Madagascar on 17 March 2009 as a "flagrant violation of the essential elements of Article 9 of the Cotonou Agreement" - a development cooperation treaty between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States - the EU said it would re-examine its position, pending a consensual agreement between Madagascar's feuding political parties, "which allows a return to constitutional order".

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]