Brussels, 07/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian EU Presidency has issued the following declaration on behalf of the EU: "The European Union welcomes the call made to Kosovo's Serbs on 3 November 2001 by the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr Kostunica, to participate in the election to be held in Kosovo on 17 November 2001. The European Union has consistently highlighted the importance of participation in the poll by all of Kosovo's communities, in order for them to be represented in the new, provisional democratic institutions and help establish a genuinely democratic, multiethnic society. The European Union also welcomes the signing on 5 November 2001, by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, of the UNMIK-FRY joint document concerning cooperation on matters of mutual interest between UNMIK and the future elected authorities in Kosovo, on one hand, and the authorities in Belgrade, on the other, under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244". High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana published a declaration welcoming this appeal, and stressing that the participation by the Serbs is "a very important step towards the development in Kosovo of a multi-ethnic society in which all communities can live in peace and security".