Brussels, 02/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian Presidency has made the following declaration on behalf of the European Union: "The EU welcomes the appointment of Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba as Nepal's new Prime Minister. It congratulates him on taking up his duties and expresses the hope that calm and stability will come again to Nepal. The EU welcomes the steps taken towards a cease fire. It would urge dialogue between the parties and hopes that dates may quickly be set for negotiations. the EU calls on the parties to renounce violence and seek a peaceful negotiated solution to the conflict so as to ensure the country's stable and lasting development. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU, the associated countries of Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and EFTA countries, members of the EEA align themselves with this declaration".