26/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian Presidency made the following declaration on 25 October on the domestic situation in Guinea on behalf of the EU; with which the candidate countries and EEA countries align themselves: "The EU expresses its concern at the possible implications, for the country's stability and democratic development, of the planned referendum in Guinea. The EU calls in particular for observance of the constitutional rules, preservation of checks and balances, liberalisation of the media and the establishment of a framework for a fair and transparent electoral process. The EU calls on all parties in Guinea to exercise moderation and urges them to respect the constitutional framework and the rule of law."