EU invites parties in Sahara issue to participate constructively in ongoing talks

The European Union encourages parties to the Sahara issue to participate in a constructive manner in the ongoing talks, held under the aegis of the UN secretary general personal envoy, said here Tuesday Belgian delegate, Sigurd Schelstraete, on behalf of the European Union.

The Belgian delegate who was speaking at the general assembly said the European Union, while continuing to follow closely the Sahara issue, welcomes the resolution 1359 which was adopted by the security council last June. It also fully supports efforts by the secretary general and his personal envoy, James Baker, to contribute to a fair, lasting and negotiated settlement of the dispute, the diplomat whose country currently holds the EU chairmanship said.

However, he went on, it is not necessary to wait for the end of negotiations to settle some urgent humanitarian issues, such as the exchange of family visits, said the ambassador before insisting that under international law all parties have to release without any delay all war prisoners.

The Belgian diplomat made this statement on behalf of the Union 15 countries and central and eastern European countries associated to the Union (Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Czech republic, Rumania, Slovakia and Slovenia), associated countries (Turkey, Cyprus and Malta) and Norway.