Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union

on the Contadora Declaration

The European Union welcomes the undertaking entered into by Guatemala's political parties in the Contadora Declaration to respect the agreements already signed and those under negotiation between the Government and the URNG. The EU appreciates the positive role played by the Central American Parliament which took the initiative of organizing the Contadora meeting.

Similarly, the EU welcomes the unilateral cease-fire announced by the URNG for the elections and hopes that the electoral process in Guatemala will take place peacefully and normally and that citizens will be able freely to exercise their right to vote. The European Union regrets, therefore, the threats and attacks recently suffered by certain candidates or their families.

The EU urges the parties to continue on the path of negotiation and reiterates its desire to continue to contribute to the economic and social development of the country, for which the signing of a firm and lasting peace agreement will be a fundamental importance.

The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the Union align themselves with this statement.