Strasbourg, 22/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - In a joint resolution by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, UEN and Greens groups, which was adopted in Strasbourg on 21 February, the European Parliament has strongly condemned an assassination attempt on the president of Timor-Leste, Ramos Horta, and an attack carried out at the same time against Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, and voiced its concern at the “serious threats” represented by this coup d'état for the stability of Timor-Leste. The EP calls on all parties in Timor-Leste to abstain from violence, to respect the political bodies voted into power in the elections of 2007 and to participate in the democratic process as part of the constitution of the country, to ensure the stability of the country. Calling for an in-depth investigation to be carried out into these attacks, with all necessary international support, the EP calls for a joint investigation to be carried out by the UN and the police of Timor-Leste. It also stresses the importance of the role of the international community, of the UN and of the neighbour countries (Australia, Indonesia and the member countries of ASEAN) for the sovereignty and the process of consolidation and democratisation of Timor-Leste. The EP calls on the international institutions to provide increased support to cover the needs of the Timorese state in terms of security. Lastly, calling on the Timorese state institutions and the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) to defend the rule of law, fight against crimes going unpunished and guarantee the respect for international standards for human rights to be observed by all parties in Timor-Leste, in particular the police and the armed forces, the EP recommends that an ad hoc parliamentary delegation be sent to Dili. (E.H.)