Brussels, 01/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 30 July the Danish Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the European Union:
"On the occasion of the signing ceremony in Pretoria on July 30, 2002, the Presidency on behalf of the European Union congratulates the Governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on the signing of the 'peace Agreement between the Governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the Territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Dismantling of the ex-FAR and Interahamwe forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)' and of the Programme of Implementation of the same agreement. On behalf of the European Union, the Presidency expresses the strong hope that the Congolese parties will use the present momentum to promote an all-inclusive conclusion of the Inter Congolese Dialogue. The Presidency on behalf of the European Union reassures all parties of its continued support to the ongoing process of securing peace and security for all countries and people in the region. The Presidency on behalf of the European Union recognises the important contribution made by the South African Chairmanship of the AU and the Secretary General of the United Nations and emphasises the importance of unified support by the international community."