Brussels, 05/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Spanish Presidency made the following Declaration on behalf of the EU:
"The EU welcomes the timely resolution adopted on Somalia by the 9th IGAD Summit meeting in Khartoum on 11th January 2002 and the recommendations contained therein. The EU particularly welcomes IGAD's recommendation urging the TNG and all other parties to commit themselves to combat terrorism in all its forms and IGAD's calls for co-operation among the three frontline states (Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti) which give hope of renewed impetus to the peace and reconciliation process. The EU welcomes the decision to hold a reconciliation conference within two months in Nairobi and wishes this event every success. The EU, convinced that the future of Somalia depends, first of all, on Somalis themselves, calls upon all parties to put aside their differences and to participate in the IGAD-facilitated dialogue without preconditions and with a genuine resolve of broadening and completing the national reconciliation process. The EU emphasises its readiness to examine ways and means on how to support IGAD's efforts to assist the Somalis to achieve peace and national reconciliation and to put an end to a situation which causes much distress and suffering among the civilian population.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration."