Strasbourg, 08/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - With its adoption, in this Parliament's last session on matters of topical interest, of a joint resolution from the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, UEN, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups, the European Parliament strongly condemned the coup d'état in Madagascar. It called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order in the country, and backed initiatives taken by regional organisations and the African Union decision to establish an operational arm of the International Contact Group on Madagascar in Antananarivo, under the chairmanship of the Special Envoy of the Chairman of the AU Commission, Ablassé Ouedraogo. Parliament draws attention to the worsening humanitarian situation in the country, which has been exacerbated by the current political developments, and urges the international community, and the EU in particular, to provide increased humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the people of Madagascar. (O.J./transl.rt)