Brussels - The European Union is set to call for crisis talks with leaders of August's coup in Mauritania as a last chance to avert sanctions, diplomats in Brussels said on Thursday.

At a meeting on Monday, EU foreign ministers are set to invoke Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and African, Pacific and Caribbean (APC) states, calling for emergency talks on the coup, EU sources told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

"That means we try to find a solution. If there's no solution, we cut off development aid," a Brussels diplomat said.

The Cotonou Agreement, signed in June 2000, regulates relations between the EU and APC states. Article 96 states that if a signatory "considers that the other party has failed to fulfil an obligation stemming from respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law referred," it can call for emergency talks.

"If the consultations do not lead to a solution acceptable to both Parties ... appropriate measures may be taken," it says.

Talks should start within 15 days of the call being made and last no more than 60 days, the article says.

Earlier this year the EU finalized a package of development aid to Mauritania worth 156 million euros (220 million dollars), to be donated over the period to 2013.

On August 6, the day of the coup, EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel warned that the overthrow of the government "risks calling into question our policy of cooperation with Mauritania," especially the aid package. (dpa)