Brussels, 03/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - On behalf of the European Union, the Danish Presidency has issued the following declaration: "Now that President Bolanos has been in office for almost six months, the European Union welcomes the measures taken by the new administration to achieve good governance and fight corruption. The EU fully supports the efforts of President Bolanos to raise ethical standards in public life and to modernise and rationalise the Nicaraguan economy. Those efforts enjoy the support of the people of Nicaragua. The reforms advocated by the Government are essential in order to strengthen the rule of law and all the democratic institutions. It is with concern that the EU has been following recent events in Nicaragua, which evidence a deterioration in the political climate in the country. The situation will make it difficult to achieve the consensus which Nicaraguan society requires to implement the reforms mentioned. The EU accordingly urges the other institutions of state to collaborate with the government so that the challenge ahead may be met. The EU hopes that a constructive dialogue between the various political forces will enable the necessary legislative reforms to be approved and will facilitate the new appointments at the Supreme Court of Justice and the Supreme Electoral Council. The EU is convinced that it is only through national dialogue that the initiatives necessary for the development of the country can be carried through to a successful conclusion. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries which are members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration".