Brussels, 22/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 21 August, the French Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the EU:
"The EU takes note of the installation of the Constituent and Legislative Assembly on 21 August 2000 in Lubumbashi. However, it has decided not to attend the opening ceremony of the Assembly on the grounds that it is not certain that this new institution is compatible with the national dialogue provided for by the Lusaka Agreement. The EU reaffirms that the national dialogue is the basis for genuine reconciliation among the Congolese and an essential feature in resolving the current conflict. A number of Member States have provided financial contributions towards preparing for it, and the EU has set aside appropriations for that purpose..
The EU calls upon the members of the Constituent and Legislative Assembly to ensure that, in their proceedings, they do not prejudice the new political order and, in particular, the creation of the new transitional institutions which will have to be put in place according to the agenda of the national dialogue. The EU hopes that the functioning of the Constituent and Legislative Assembly will provide a positive contribution to preparing the national dialogue without taking its place.
The Central and Eastern countries associated with the EU, the associated countries of Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the EEA align themselves with this declaration".