Brussels, 11/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Swedish Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the European Union:
"The European Union notes with deep concern the attempted coup d'état on the night between 7 and 8 January.
The European Union calls on all parties to act responsibly and avoid all forms of violence.
It urges the Ivorian authorities to promote a spirit of national reconciliation and cohesion, necessary to counter increased tension that may be detrimental to the stability in the whole subregion.
The European Union urges the authorities and all Ivorians to uphold human rights, civil liberties and democratic principles.
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."