Brussels, 14/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the Irish Presidency issued the following declaration on recent events in Nigeria on behalf of the European Union:
"The Presidency, on behalf of the European Union, expresses its serious concern and distress at the constant incidents of death and destruction that are taking place in Nigeria. The European Union wishes to express its utter dismay at the recent outbreak of violence in the town of Yelwa in Plateau state in central Nigeria and at the one that followed in the town of Kano. Likewise, the European Union transmits its deepest sympathy to the government of Nigeria and to the families of the victims for such dramatic events.
The European Union notes the rapid response of the Nigerian Government in despatching additional security forces to the areas concerned and in imposing a curfew in order to stop this dramatic cycle of violence. The European Union urges restraint on both communities and the need to avoid any acts of retaliation or provocation which will only result in renewed bloodshed and loss of life.
The European Union welcomes the move by the government of Nigeria to restore peace in the areas concerned. Any intervention should be carried out with full respect for human rights and rule of law.
The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, 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".