Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-02-15-Speech-4-168"
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"en.20010215.7.4-168"2
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".
Mr President, the European Union obviously condemns political violence in all its forms. The Congo is an area of concern to us and Joseph Kabila’s rise to power may indeed provide a fresh opportunity to reopen the Lusaka negotiations along the moderate line he has taken to date, particularly during his visits to France, Belgium and the United States. True, so far all we have to go on are words, which must be translated into deeds. We shall certainly be monitoring developments closely.
In any event, we feel that this is an opportunity we should not hesitate to grasp in an effort to reach a negotiated solution to the conflict, particularly now that it seems a significant cease-fire is being observed. At the time, the European Union actively supported the Lusaka negotiations with a significant allocation of regional funds. The mechanisms set up under the agreement were allocated a fund for the joint military commission. These were relatively large funds, amounting to several million euro. They were essential in achieving the three fundamental objectives: negotiation, the military commission and facilitating political dialogue.
However, we are endeavouring to do even more in terms of financial assistance and humanitarian aid. ECHO allocated EUR 20 million last year and an allocation of EUR 35 million is planned for this year. Yet we are not only offering economic support to assure food supply and health services, but also attempting to promote the negotiated solution we all hope for based on the Lusaka agreements.
In addition, the Commission is studying the possibility of supporting the revival of the peace and reconciliation process through programmes for the rehabilitation, demobilisation and reintegration of displaced people. Given the present situation it is too early, however, to define possible future action. Neither the technical nor the political conditions exist to allow us to detail the action we might take.
Finally, I should like to say that I have taken note of the request made by Mr Ribeiro e Castro to consider the extent to which we might be able to take the lead on this matter."@en1
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