13/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a statement on 11 January on behalf of the European Union, the Austrian EU Council Presidency welcomed the agreement reached between Somalia's President and Parliament Speaker, Abdullah Yusuf Ahmed and Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, and congratulates the president of the Republic of Yemen, Ali Abdalla Salah, for having facilitated their discussions. The statement reads: “The European Union warmly welcomes the Declaration issued jointly in Aden on 5 January 2006 by President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed of the Somali Republic and the Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, and commends President Ali Abdalla Salah of the Republic of Yemen for his facilitation of their discussions. The EU is greatly encouraged to note the parties' guidance by the Transitional Federal Charter and their undertaking to convene a session of Parliament within thirty days. The EU reiterates its unwavering and unequivocal support for the Transitional Federal Institutions as the only legitimate framework for fostering political dialogue, stability and governance in Somalia. The EU calls on all members of the Transitional Federal Parliament and Government to respond actively and positively to this timely initiative of the President and the Speaker, and reaffirms its willingness to provide logistical and financial support as necessary and appropriate to facilitate the work of Parliament inside Somalia”.