02/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - In a statement published on Thursday 2 July, the European Union says it is gravely concerned at recent political developments in Niger. “The decision taken by Niger's president to invoke Article 53 of the constitution and the dissolution of the Constitutional Court without parliamentary control is a setback for Niger's democracy,” says the Council of the European Union, calling on the Niger authorities to act responsibly and not to undermine their country's democratic achievements. The European Union calls on all political players to engage in dialogue and to resolve the current political crisis in a peaceful manner. In a separate statement, Commissioner Louis Michel had threatened to suspend cooperation (see EUROPE 9933). (O.J./transl.rt)