Brussels, 13/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana said, during the evening of 12 March, that he was "extremely pleased" at the news that agreement had been reached on a cease-fire in southern Serbia, after the attacks by extremist Albanians over recent days. "I have congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Covic for his resolve in seeking this agreement, and I am sending a similar message to local ethnic Albanian leaders, whose cooperation and moderation will be of essence in the implementation of the deal". He continued: "This is a positive first step in the path towards a lasting political solution of the problems in the region. The key will be to consolidate this first step by adhering strictly to the terms of the agreement, and by moving quickly to implement further confidence-building measures". "Negotiations will soon start on a political settlement: I urge all parties to carry forward this work in a positive spirit", Mr Solana concluded.