02/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a declaration published on Monday, the EU welcomes, on 21 September, the release from house arrest of the leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party, Mohamed Nasheed, who was arrested in August 2005 during a peaceful protest and subsequently charged with sedition and terrorism. The EU notes that the charges remain in force but looks forward to them being dropped in the near future. The European Union also welcomes the release and pardon of Jennifer Latheef, daughter of MDP spokesman Mohamed Latheef, sentenced to ten years' imprisonment in October 2005 on terrorism charges. The Twenty-Five are also “greatly encouraged” by the informal talks begun by the government of Maldives and the main opposition party, the MDP, as well as the commitment shown by both parties to establish a lasting, liberal democratic system for all the people of the Maldives. “The European Union looks to all parties to work constructively in order to enhance the democratic reform process and guarantee democratic, free and fair elections as soon as possible”, it is stated in the declaration.