Brussels, 07/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - During his meeting on Tuesday in Brussels with the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, the Peruvian opposition leader, Alejandro Toledo, called on the EU to maintain political pressure on Peru so that the result of the second round of presidential elections, tainted by fraud, is cancelled. Mr Toledo felt on the other hand that economic sanctions against Peru would be counter-productive as they would effect the poorest populations. Javier Solana expressed his "support and that of the EU for the reestablishment of democratic normality, national consensus and the independence of the institutions", and gave his assurance that the EU will be supporting the high level mission of the Organisation of American States so that it may effectively control the reform of the electoral process and the institutions of Peru. He said it will also support the strengthening of freedom of the press.
The EU will study its position on the basis of the report by its observers and of the OAS mission, say European sources. The EU Council President, Jaime Gama, declared end May that the possibility of sanctions against Peru "has been analysed" but that no decision has been taken.