21/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Conflict prevention an EU priority. Conflict prevention is a “primary objective” of the EU's external action, “in which it could take a leading role”, state foreign ministers in conclusions adopted in Luxembourg on Monday 20 June. The EU Programme for the Prevention of Violent Conflicts - the Gothenburg Programme, adopted 10 years ago - remains “a valid policy basis” for future EU action, member states say. Ministers call, however, for “early warning” to be strengthened. The Council underlines, too, that partnerships with key players, such as the UN, OSCE, NATO, World Bank, African Union and individual countries such as the US, need to be further strengthened to enable the European Union to act with still greater success. (H.B./transl.rt)