Brussels, 02/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 30 April, the Spanish Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the EU:
"The Presidency of the EU welcomes the progress made at the meetings of the inter-Congolese dialogue which closed in Sun City on 19 April 2002 and at which the various delegations discussed highly sensitive issues in a calm and constructive climate. While regretting that not all the resolutions discussed could be adopted, the European Union considers that the thirty-seven reports approved establish beyond doubt the high level of commitment invested in the search for national reconciliation and peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and reflect a broad agreement on the fundamental principles of the future Congolese political order. The EU also wishes to express its thanks for the work of the dialogue facilitator's team and for the efforts of the Government of the Republic of South Africa. The EU considers that the agreement signed between the Government of the DRC and the MLC, and endorsed by many political opposition parties and representatives of sections of civil society, represents a positive step towards a settlement of the conflict ravaging the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The EU regrets, however, that some participants, in particular the RCD-Goma, would not undersign the agreement. The EU asks all the Congolese parties to act responsibly, show a willingness to compromise and abide by the framework established by the Lusaka Agreement and the relevant United Nations resolutions. The European Union welcomes the desire expressed by the signatories to extend the agreement to all Congolese parties and urges them to pursue negotiations without delay in a spirit of openness in order to reach an all-inclusive agreement on the transitional institutions. The EU calls on all countries in the region, particularly Rwanda, to exert influence on all the Congolese parties, particularly the RCD-Goma, to ensure that they respect and support the desire for peace, democracy and reconciliation expressed at Sun City. The European Union remains very concerned by the continuing clashes in the North and East of the country and by the renewed instability in Kasai and urges all the parties to the Lusaka Cease-fire Agreement to refrain from all military operations and all other acts of provocation that could threaten the political impetus that has emerged from the Sun City meeting. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the EEA, align themselves with this declaration."