Brussels, 10/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Danish EU Presidency has issued the following statement on behalf of the European Union: "The European Union warmly welcomes the inauguration today of the African Union at its first summit in Durban. With this historic event, African nations have taken an important step towards creating a stronger and more coherent framework for peace, stability, good governance and economic development in Africa. The tasks of the South African AU Presidency are enormous, especially with regard to giving impetus to the transformation process and operationalising links with the subregional organisations. The European Union is encouraged by the perspectives presented for the implementation of the AU, and looks to African leaders to demonstrate the resolve and take the concrete actions necessary to make it operational. The EU is fully supportive of the AU Presidency in this process. In this context, the European Union also reiterates its support for NEPAD as a catalyst for Africa's development, in line with the aims of the African Union. The EU attaches special importance to the NEPAD principles of democracy, human rights, the rule of law and political and economic good governance as well as conflict prevention as cornerstones for the creation of a more conducive environment for peace, stability and development in Africa. In line with the Cairo Declaration, the EU reiterates its support for the African efforts to make the African Union a success. The EU looks forward to the opportunities which the AU brings to build on earlier cooperation and to deepen political dialogue. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus and Malta, and the EFTA countries Norway and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration".