15/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 11 October, the Danish Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the EU: "The EU reaffirms its support to democratic governance and the principles of multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal. The EU takes note of the formation of an interim Government in Nepal. We hope that this Government will work on the basis of broad based political consensus. The EU urges the new Government to ensure early negotiations with the Maoists with a view to their integration into the political process. In this context, the EU looks forward to improved conditions for peaceful and democratic elections and urges the Government to announce quickly new dates for local and general elections. The EU condemns the violent armed actions by the insurgent Maoists which have caused considerable suffering among the civilian population of Nepal and which eventually led to the cancellation of the general elections. The EU, therefore, urges the insurgents to immediately end their violent actions and enter into a political dialogue with the government of Nepal. At the same time the EU reiterates the urgent need to address the underlying causes of the on-going conflict, including the issues of poverty, exclusion, corruption, and human rights."