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Brussels, 12 January 2001 |
PRESS RELEASE
Subject :
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Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Aceh |
The European Union welcomes the extension of the moratorium on violence in Aceh agreed upon by the Government of Indonesia and the Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM) in Geneva, revealed on 10 January. The EU also welcomes both parties' intention to continue their dialogue with substantive discussions in February.
The EU has repeatedly stressed its support for a strong, united, democratic and prosperous Indonesia. The Union fully supports the country's territorial integrity. It encourages the Indonesian authorities and the GAM to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Aceh, through dialogue rather than force. It has welcomed the start of the legal process to bring to justice the alleged perpetrators of human rights abuses in Aceh. The Union calls upon both sides to abide by the terms of moratorium on violence and to show the utmost restraint on the ground.
The EU will continue to watch developments closely.
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