28/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - In a statement published on 24 January, the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU notes that 'the European Union has consistently supported early progress towards universal suffrage in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law… We are therefore disappointed that the possibility of universal suffrage for 2012 elections has been ruled out' for Hong Kong. 'At the same time, we note positively Chief Executive Donald Tsang's statement that a timetable has now been set with a clear prospect of implementation of universal suffrage for the Chief Executive (of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, Ed.) in 2017 and for the Legislative Council in 2020. The EU calls upon all the parties concerned to agree on constructive proposals for wider suffrage for the 2012 elections which will advance Hong Kong towards the completion of universal suffrage according to international standards within this timetable.' (A.B.)