09/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 6 October, the European Commission confirmed its support for the stabilisation process in Timor-Leste after the crisis which rocked the young democracy in the spring. Following on closely from the visit of José Manuel Barroso's special envoy, the Commission says in a press release that it “will intensify cooperation with Timor-Leste and is currently assessing the possibility of opening a Delegation in Dili”. On 31 August, the Commission adopted a €4 million short-term stabilisation programme under the EC Rapid Reaction Mechanism. The aims are to support the process of national dialogue, with the help of the Club of Madrid, and along with technical aid, and implement short-term youth employment-generation schemes. The first of the measures was last week's high level external mediation operation by Valdis Birkavs, the former Latvian Prime Minister and Club of Madrid member, which sought to promote national dialogue in Timor-Leste. (ol)