Brussels, 17/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Danish Presidency has made the following declaration on behalf of the EU:
"The EU is extremely concerned at the ongoing confrontations, since March 2002, between groups of armed rebels and the Congolese armed forces in the Pool region of the Republic of the Congo. The EU is concerned that this drawn-out crisis is creating an increasingly serious humanitarian and security situation. The EU condemns the atrocities committed against the local population. It calls on the Congolese authorities to allow humanitarian agencies access to the areas affected as a matter of urgency. The EU notes with interest the recent initiatives taken in cooperation with key players in the Pool region, which are likely to facilitate settlement of the crisis by means of dialogue. The EU is anxious that all parties should work towards that end."