21/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 18 November the Danish Presidency made the following statement on behalf of the EU: "The EU strongly condemns the latest abduction of two humanitarian workers, Alexander Panov and Musa Stushev working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in North Caucasus. This latest attack on humanitarian aid workers follows the kidnappings in Chechnya and Dagestan in July and August of Nina Davidovich of Druzhba (partner of UNICEF) and Arjan Erkel of Medecins sans Frontieres-Suisse, who, regrettably, are still missing and unaccounted for. The EU is deeply concerned about the fate of all the hostages and calls upon those responsible to ensure their immediate release and safe return. Safe and unhindered access is essential for the provision of humanitarian aid. Abducting humanitarian aid workers is seriously prejudicial to the work of Humanitarian Organisation in the North Caucasus region who continue to play an essential role in providing assistance to those in need"