Brussels, 03/01/2000 (Agence Europe) -The Finnish Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the European Union on the military coup in Ivory Coast:
"The European Union notes with deep concern the military coup and the dissolution of political and legal institutions in Ivory Coast on 24 December 1999. It urges all parties to restore peacefully and rapidly democratic constitutional rule in the country, to respect human rights and to guarantee security during the transition period. Furthermore, the European Union would like to express its support to the Organisation of African Unity Summit decision of last July condemning military coups and resolving to isolate any government which came to power by force of arms. The EU also considers a rapid restoration of democratic rule in Ivory Coast important for future cooperation between the EU and Ivory Coast, especially in the light of the possibility to launch the procedure of article 366a of the fourth revised Lome Convention.
Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, The Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Turkey, Liechtenstein and Norway align themselves with this declaration."