Brussels, 10/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the Irish Presidency of the EU adopted the following statement: "The European Union is seriously concerned at latest developments in the Georgian Autonomous Republic of Adjara. The destruction on Sunday 2 May of bridges connecting Adjara with the rest of Georgia, at the initiative of the Adjaran authorities, is a most negative act. A further escalation of tension between Tsibili and Batumi must be avoided. The European Union calls on the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and on the Georgian government to use only peaceful means in the resolution of outstanding issues. All threats of acts of violence are unacceptable and must be avoided. The European Union reiterates its full support to the territorial integrity of Georgia. The European Union also reiterates the need for relations between the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and the rest of Georgia to develop within the framework of the Georgian constitution, which recognises the autonomy of Adjara. It welcomes the statement from the government of Georgia declaring as inviolable the status of Adjara. In this context, a Law on the Status of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara should be adopted in the near future, as provided for in paragraph 3 of the Constitution of Georgia. The European Union is concerned about the social consequences of the de facto blockade of Adjara, and appeals to Batumi to restore all transport communications between Adjara and the rest of Georgia. The European Union continues to follow the situation closely. The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration".