28/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - In a press release issued on 24 January 2008, the Slovenian Presidency of the EU 'welcomes the agreement reached at the Goma Conference for Peace, Security and Development in the provinces of North and South Kiva' (in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo). The agreement, struck after a fortnight of negotiations, involves a ceasefire between the government, dissident General Nkunda's National Congress for Defence of the People (CNDP) and local Mai Mai self-defence militias. The EU 'calls upon the DRC authorities, communities and armed groups to continue the constructive dialogue. The EU stresses the need for all protagonists to the conflict to rally to this dynamic, and support the momentum of peace, created by the Goma agreement. The EU congratulates all those who have been able to overcome their differences and who favoured a political solution of the root causes of the problems in the Kivus, in the interest of peace and reconciliation… (and) underlines the importance of fulfilling the commitments' made by all participants. (A.B.)