28/08/2008 (Agence Europe) - In a declaration published on 27 August, the EU Council Presidency “expresses its support for the African Union's efforts to settle the crisis, which we hope will be accomplished swiftly”. It renews its “call for a return to constitutional order and the reinstatement of President Abdallah in his functions” and gives its assurance that the “international community will act accordingly if the military junta does not make any gestures showing its willingness to work with the African Union to restore democracy at the earliest opportunity”. This stance follows the meeting in Paris on 27 August with Alain Joyandet, Minister of State for Cooperation and Francophonie, Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Ramtane Lamamra, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union. (A.B./transl.jl)