Brussels, 23/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The magnitude of the crisis in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with renewed fighting in the Kivus that has repercussions throughout the African Great Lakes region, calls for an urgent and coordinated response from the EU, foreign ministers reiterated on Monday 22 January. They confirmed the EU's resolve to contribute to lasting stability and development throughout that region. In unanimous Council conclusions, the EU calls for the immediate cessation of violence in the Kivus and for the protection of civilians. It also underlines the urgent need to put an end to all the armed groups, especially the M23, operating in the eastern part of the country.
The EU hails the efforts made by the United Nations and the African Union to stabilise the region and assures that it will itself, as will its member states, contribute actively to the success of such efforts by a coordinated response to the political, security and development process and by supporting the implementation of the peace, security and cooperation framework signed in Addis Ababa in February 2013. Support will be in five areas: - promoting peace among the countries of the region; - encouraging the DRC government to implement all necessary reforms to ensure security and governance in eastern DRC; - supporting countries in the region to embed democracy and good governance including the protection of human rights, through improving delivery of basic services, providing reliable physical, judicial and administrative security throughout the country and ensuring an effective and transparent election cycle; - helping the Great Lakes region to rebuild the regional economy; - and encouraging the international community to stand firmly alongside the countries of the region. (AN/transl.jl)