Brussels, 02/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 28 June, the Swedish Presidency issued on behalf of the EU a statement in which it "welcomes with hope the efforts by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and CARICOM to find a solution to the political crisis in Haiti, in particular the serious problems created by last year's elections". Furthermore, the EU "hails the avenue opened up by the 31st ordinary session of the OAS General Assembly held at San José (Costa Rica) on 5 June 2001 ("Support for Democracy in Haiti"), targeting the introduction of a gradual process aimed at the search for a political agreement between all political parties in Haiti without exception (…). However, it emphasises that many questions remain to be answered: security of elections, screening of votes, funding of electoral campaigns, etc.". "Mindful of the misery and stress facing the people of Haiti", the European Union stresses it is necessary to "determine as soon as possible the date of the new legislation elections".
The text of the declaration is available on the Council's Internet site, heading CFSP Statements, Newsroom (http: //ue.eu.int/newsroom/main.cfm?LANG=2).