Brussels, 27/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 25 September, the French Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the EU concerning the appeal proceedings involving ten members of the Jewish community in Iran: "The EU has taken note of the decision by the appeal court in Shiraz. While noting with interest that the sentences have been reduced, the Union regrets that these have not been purely and simply set aside. It will continue to be mindful of the fate of those convicted and hopes that they be given a pardon. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU and the associated countries Cyprus and Malta, as well as Norway, member country of the EEA, align themselves with this declaration."