Brussels, 21/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - The French Presidency adopted the following Declaration on behalf of the EU: "The EU welcomes the start of work on the reconnection of the rail networks of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which marks a further stage in the process of the rapprochement of the two countries. The EU hopes that this tangible initiative, which is the fruit of the inter-Korean dialogue, will be a prelude to further commitments contributing towards both a reduction of tension and regional stability. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries members of the EEA, align themselves with this declaration."