Brussels, 13/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 13 September, the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council adopted a declaration in which it welcomes the cease fire concluded between the government of Nepal and the Maoist insurgents (CPN-M), as well as the "first round of negotiations between the two sides", which was held on 30 August The EU, which encourages the parties to "work seriously and constructively towards the second round of negotiation", nevertheless notes with "concern recent reports of widespread intimidation, and extortion of various segments of the Nepalese society, as well as demands addressed to various development projects and international agencies by the CPN-M". "The EU call on those responsible to cease such coercive activities immediately, in order to create a conducive and constructive atmosphere for the dialogue process". The candidate countries and the EEA align themselves with this declaration.