21/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - “We welcome the commitment of Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein for a lean government, and his intention to select half of the ministers from outside parliament,” commented EU High Representative for the CFSP Javier Solana and EU Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel on 19 December in a joint press release. They explain: “We consider that this would be an important step in enhancing the effectiveness of the government and facilitating the reconciliation process with the main opposition movements inside and outside Somalia,” and “reiterate the call for the urgent elaboration by the transitional federal institutions of the roadmap for the remainder of the transition period. This includes the preparation for a constitutional referendum and elections by 2009”. (A.B.)