Brussels, 27/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - A declaration published on Wednesday 26 March by the Slovenian Presidency indicated that the EU is watching closely the discussion concerning the revision of the constitution, while noting that any changes to the constitution have to be decided by the people and the institutions of Cameroon. Adopted in 1996, the current constitution emphasises the importance of the proposals for constitutional revision being subjected to a broad, free and open debate that involves all elements of Cameroonian society. The EU underlines the fact that the possibility of a changeover of power, the freedom of the press and the guaranteeing of public freedoms are fundamental to the consolidation of democracy, and draws attention to the urgent need to improve the electoral system and the standard of voter turnout. The EU condemns the violence that occurred at the end of February in the country during opposition protests against the constitutional revision, as well as the attempts at ethnic manipulation that followed. (A.B.)