10/10/2016 (Agence Europe) – The Ethiopian authorities should respond to the complaints expressed by its people and present a raft of reforms. This announcement was made by the European Union on Monday 10 October in response to the declaration of a state of emergency in Ethiopia, the day before. The state of emergency was declared following several months of violent clashes in the country. Last week, 55 people lost their lives following the firing of teargas during a festival in the Oromia region of the country, on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. On Monday, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) stated that "fundamental human rights must be respected at all times" and that "now it is time for all forces, inside and outside Ethiopia, to restore calm and join in ensuring that Ethiopia can pursue the path of democracy and development". (TR)