Brussels, 15/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - In its conclusions adopted on 15 May, the Council of the EU welcomed the holding of multi-party elections in Uganda for the first time in twenty-five years, as well as the high turnout of voters. The Council calls on the government and President Museveni to continue the democratisation process, and highlights the need to continue dialogue with the EU in the framework of Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement (democracy and rights) but expresses its concern at the continued conflict in the north of the country, as well as the activities of the Lord's Resistance Army, which have increasingly taken on a regional dimension “posing a threat to the peace processes in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo” (see other articles). The Council is therefore appealing for the Ugandan government to work towards a peaceful settlement, in collaboration with countries in the region, which should help towards, “the promotion of lasting peace and security in the Great Lakes region”. The LRA commanders indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) “must be apprehended and brought to face justice”, affirms the Council, which calls for a greater international involvement. It welcomes the increasing commitment from the UN in this conflict, as well as Resolutions 1653 and 1663 from the Security Council calling for recommendations from the Secretary General “for tackling illegal armed groups”. It is looking forward to proposals “including for a High Level Envoy with a regional focus” a nd announced that the EU would be taking part in the mixed follow up committee set up for improving the humanitarian situation in the north of the country.