Brussels, 27/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a statement issued on Brussels on Monday, the External Relations Council asserted that there can be no alternative to the agreement on transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo, signed in Pretoria on 17 December 2002. The EU invites all parties to conclude the negotiations in good faith over the remaining issues and to set up transition institutions as quickly as possible. In this connection, the Council recommends urgently setting out a "roadmap" including a detailed timetable and clear deadlines, pledging full support to the United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy, Niasse, and MONUC. It calls for an immediate end to armed struggle and violence, condemning the recent atrocities in the east of the country, particularly in the area of Ituri, noting that those responsible had to be brought to justice. The EU's Special Representative Aldo Ajello was requested to keep the COPS informed of developments and suggest concrete measures to accompany transition.