Brussels, 06/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - "The European Union remains deeply concerned by the climate of tension and violence which continues to reign in a number of Indonesian provinces, particularly in Aceh, the Moluccas and Irian Jaya. The European Union has spoken out on a number of occasions in favour of a strong, united, democratic Indonesia. The Union fully supports the country's territorial integrity. It encourages the Indonesian authorities' efforts to find a solution to regional disputes through dialogue rather than by force. In the case of Aceh, in May this year the European Union welcomed the agreement on a humanitarian truce signed in Geneva between the Indonesian authorities and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). It also welcomed the start of the legal process to bring to justice the alleged perpetrators of human rights abuses in the province. The European Union urges the Indonesian Government and the parties involved to pursue the path of dialogue and to step up their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the tensions in Aceh province. It calls on all parties to show restraint, in order to avoid any further deterioration in the situation. It will continue to watch closely developments in the situation on the ground. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration".