Brussels, 13/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - On behalf of the EU the Greek Presidency has made the following declaration: "The European Union welcomes the adoption by referendum on 29 April 2003 of a new constitution in Qatar. The provisions in this new constitution incorporate an elected legislative body, as well as the protection of individual rights and freedoms, which constitutes significant progress in the democratisation process. It is also important to point out that the adoption of the new constitution comes shortly after the holding of council elections, which, for the first time, brought a woman into a position of public authority. The EU pays homage to the people and government of Qatar, which has demonstrated its attachment to democracy and that it reaffirms its support for all efforts deployed for enhancing the democratic process in this country. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the accession countries and Bulgaria and Romania, associated countries support this declaration.