The European Union expresses its deep concern at the security situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the Kivus. The presence of foreign and Congolese armed groups, the proliferation of weaponry and the illegal exploitation of natural resources continue to threaten the country's stability.
The European Union calls upon all the parties to find peaceful solutions and abstain from all military action likely to aggravate the situation, particularly at humanitarian level. It would encourage MONUC to actively support all efforts to that end.
The European Union has reiterated the need to find a lasting solution to the problem of foreign armed groups on Congolese territory. It recognises that relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda are crucial to resolving the crisis in the Kivus and would encourage both governments to continue their cooperation in that respect. Likewise, the European Union stresses the importance of proceeding with the reform of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and, in particular, completing the process of integration of the Congolese army.
The European Union is ready to back the efforts to find political and diplomatic solutions. It confirms its commitment to providing support for the reform of the security sector in the three vital areas: police, army and justice. The European Union welcomes the initial talks between the Congolese authorities and the international community and the intention of organising a round table in Kinshasa in October.
The European Union will continue to follow developments in the DRC closely. The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.