Brussels, 08/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On behalf of the European Union, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, has expressed her deep concern at the deterioration in the situation in the provinces of North and South Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She strongly condemns the rebellion of some elements within the FARDC (Forces armées de la République Démocratique du Congo). In a declaration on Thursday 7 June, Ashton states: “The EU considers that establishing DRC's effective authority over its territory is in the interest of all”. She condemns the murder of civilians by armed groups, including the FDLR (Forces démocratiques de liberation du Rwanda). “The EU firmly supports the DRC's ongoing efforts to end the parallel chains of command within the FARDC”, Ashton states, before adding: “The EU recalls its firm commitment to fighting impunity and the need to bring perpetrators of crime to justice”. (AN/transl.jl)