PRESS RELEASE

Subject :

The EU has been following the process in Chiapas closely and will continue to do so, in particular regarding the recent developments in Mexico concerning the passing of the constitutional amendment bill on indigenous rights. The EU regrets the EZLN's (Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional) decision to suspend its contacts with the Mexican Government and urges it to respond to the constructive offer by President Fox to find political ways to make progress on those elements which have not been included in the new law.

The EU is convinced that a dialogue between the Mexican Government and the EZLN is of vital importance in order to reach a final settlement of the situation in Chiapas.

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