10/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a press release published on Tuesday, the German presidency on behalf of the EU “took note” of the formation of the new government of Côte d'Ivoire on 7 April and “welcomes its commitment to peace”. The EU is calling on the new government and president of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire to become resolutely involved in the implementation of the action advocated in the political agreement concluded in Ouagadougou (Burkina) on 4 March last and to put an end to partition in the country “in order to relaunch the peace process defined by UN Security Council Resolution 1721”. With a view to finding a rapid solution to the crisis affecting the whole country, the EU “calls on the parties to move forward on the key issues, including: identification of the population, Defence and Security Forces issues, the DDR (disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration) programme and the organisation as early as possible of free, fair, open, democratic and transparent elections”. The new government, led by rebel leader Guillaume Soro, was set up at the time of the progressive withdrawal of the intervention force consisting of 7000 blue helmets and 3500 French soldiers acting under a UN mandate. (ol)