29/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Call for halt to inter-ethnic violence. “Deeply troubled” by renewed inter-communal conflicts in Rakhine State in Burma/Myanmar, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called on all parties, on 26 October, “to bring this senseless violence to an immediate end”. She also encouraged the parties concerned to find durable ways to solve the issues between the religious communities. “The High Representative trusts that a peaceful and constructive way forward for all the people in Rakhine State can be found. Political and religious leaders should project a message of restraint and moderation”, Ashton's spokesperson said in a press release. He also said that the EU continues to stress the urgency of providing unhindered access for humanitarian relief. According to the government the ethnic violence has claimed 80 lives and, according to the United Nations, displaced at least 26,000 people. (CG/transl.fl)