Brussels, 25/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - During a meeting with European sport federations on 21 September in Brussels, the European Commissioner for Sport, Ján Figel, called on Member States to ratify UNESCO's Convention against Doping in Sport and support the World Anti-Doping Code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This code demands 'all forms of international cooperation aimed at protecting athletes and ethics in sport and at sharing the results of research" and by fostering "international cooperation between States Parties and leading organizations in the fight against doping in sport, in particular with the World Anti-Doping Agency". Thirty ratifications are required before the Convention can enter into force. According to information provided by UNESCO, seventeen countries had communicated their ratification, acceptance or accession by mid-August. Among EU Member States, five ratifications had been recorded (Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and the United Kingdom). Given the strong European commitment to drug-free sports, the EU could make a substantial contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the Convention if the remaining Member States ratified.