28/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - EU encourages parties to achieve negotiated settlement. In reply to a parliamentary question published on Wednesday 27 April, the European Commission provided assurances that it "fully supports the UN Secretary-General's efforts to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution in Western Sahara". It also stated that it would abstain from, "any action that might undermine the UN-led process, but continues to encourage the parties to seek a negotiated solution to the conflict". It also pointed out that it would work together in the region "with a limited number of key partner organisations (notably the World Food Programme, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, OXFAM, Spanish Red Cross)" to ensure full control of the assistance. (FB)