Brussels, 27/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Brussels on 26 May, EU foreign ministers expressed great concern regarding the situation of insecurity in Somalia and especially regarding the adverse impact that this has on the humanitarian situation and on human rights in the country.
In its conclusions, the Council reaffirms its commitment in favour of an overall approach for a lasting solution to the crisis in Somalia, covering not only political but also security and humanitarian aspects. The EU takes the view that only a political process in which all parties involved undertake to stop the violence will allow the crisis to be overcome, the Council states. Considering that the transitional federal charter is the only credible framework for allowing an open consultative process, it calls on all parties to begin constructive dialogue aimed at developing the future Somali constitution to be put to a referendum in 2009, opening the way to elections.
The Council welcomes in this respect the process of conciliation launched by the federal transition government both at local level and with the exiled opposition. It demands that all violations of international humanitarian law and human rights be officially denounced and prosecuted.
Welcoming the work by the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the Council points out that the EU and its member states are willing to seek new sources of funding to step up their support to AMISOM. Concerned by the upsurge in acts of piracy off the Somali coast which not only hinder humanitarian actions and international maritime traffic but also contribute to violations of the arms embargo decreed by the United Nations, the Council awaits with interest the rapid adoption of a Security Council resolution to tackle this problem. (A.N.)