Brussels, 14/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU has welcomed the peace agreement and ceasefire concluded on 11 January in Libreville (Gabon) under the auspices of the Economic Community of Central African States, between all stakeholders in the conflict in the Central African Republic. It sees the three documents which have been signed (ceasefire, declaration in principle and political agreement) as “a first step out of the crisis”, said the spokesperson to High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in a statement published on 11 January.
“The normalisation and stabilisation of the country in the longer term requires the underlying causes of the outbreak of recurrent conflicts in the Central African Republic to be addressed in a consensual way by all stakeholders and that appropriate responses be made”, said the spokesperson.
Ashton calls on ECCAS to monitor the implementation of this agreement and states that it may be assured of the EU's readiness to support it in its efforts, in coordination with other partners. The agreement provides for general elections to be held within 12 months and for the appointment of a new prime minister “from among the political opposition”. (AN/transl.fl)