Brussels, 07/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 7 July the Italian Presidency issued the following statement on behalf of the EU: “The European Union has noted the decision by the Russian authorities to discontinue the broadcasting of the television station TVS. This gives rise to concern. The EU understands that commercial considerations played a role in that decision. However, regardless of the reasons which led to the station's closure, it will have a negative impact on the plurality of the media, which is a key part of the values upon which the EU/Russia partnership is built. The EU hopes that the Russian authorities will undertake measures to support and strengthen the plurality and independence of the media. The EU also hopes that the proposed amendments to the law on the media will not constrain the ability of journalists to report fully and accurately on the up-coming Duma and presidential elections. The EU looks to the Russian authorities to implement the law in a transparent elections. The EU looks to the Russian authorities to implement the law in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner at federal, regional and local level. The acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Associated Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.”