Brussels, 31/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 30 October, the Danish Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the EU:
"The EU firmly condemns the further attempted coup d'état in the Central African Republic and deplores the resulting loss of human life. The EU reaffirms its attachment to the principles of the African Union and condemns any recourse to force to obtain political change. The EU appeals to the rebel soldiers to lay down their arms. The EU urges the countries in the region to respect the sovereignty and integrity of the territory of the Central African Republic. The EU calls in particular upon neighbouring countries to monitor the activities of nationals of the Central African Republic in order to prevent them from carrying out destabilising operations from within their territories. The EU calls on all nationals of the Central African Republic to continue along the road towards reconciliation and national reconstruction and appeals to all political leaders to resume the political dialogue forthwith. The EU recalls the arrangements adopted at the Summit of the Heads of State at Libreville on 2 October 2002 and stresses the urgency of their implementation. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the EEA, align themselves with this declaration."