EU welcomes renewal of national reconciliation process

Brussels, 19/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 16 December the Italian presidency adopted, on behalf of the EU, the following declaration: "the EU welcomes the decision taken by the Intergovernmental Authority for Development to organise the meeting of Somalian leaders in Kenya to prepare the third and last stage of the conference. It is calling for the immediate and constructive participation of all Somali leaders in the reconciliation process and meeting to bring points of view closer and reach an agreement on the constitution of a viable government and a sustainable solution to the conflict in Somalia. The EU welcomes the resolute commitment in support of peace in Somalia made by African leaders taking part in the meeting, namely, Mr Kibaki, president of Kenya who hosted the conference, Mr Chissano, president of Mozambique, as president of the AU, Mr Museveni, president of Uganda, as president of IGAD and Mr Konare, president of the African Union Commission. The EU is convinced that any conference result on national reconciliation that is not supported by an inclusive approach with a wide basis of support risks aggravating the situation in Somalia and feeding conflicts that are even more violent in the country. It is therefore making a resolute appeal to all Somali leaders who cannot return to Kenya to return there as soon as possible in order to obtain a political settlement for the good of the Somali people. The EU congratulates IGAD and its Member States of the efforts that they have made for providing a new dimension to peace negotiations and reiterates its total and constant support for the national reconciliation process under the supervision of IGAD, which constitutes the only way for re-establishing a genuine government, peace and stability in Somalia. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia (the accession countries), Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey (associated countries), as well as EFTA countries form the European Economic Area support this declaration.