20/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a statement issued on 17 January on behalf of the EU by the Austrian Presidency on the full abolition of the death penalty in Mexico: 'The European Union warmly welcomes President Fox's decree of December 9, 2005, which modifies articles 14 and 22 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, thus completely abolishing the death penalty in Mexico. The European Union considers that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. It reaffirms its objective of working towards universal abolition of the death penalty. The European Union looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Mexico towards promoting our common objective of the universal abolition of the death penalty.'