EUHR Solana met with the President of Uganda

Javier SOLANA, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), met yesterday with the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI. The two had an exchange of views on political developments and perspectives in Uganda as well as in the Great Lakes region. President Museveni confirmed his Government's commitment to the establishment of a multi-party system, saying that Uganda had now overcome the sectarian divisions of the past. With reference to the situation in northern Uganda, the President expressed hope that the peace agreement in Sudan would create a situation conducive to a comprehensive solution. He added that the security situation had stabilised and that all camps for internally displaced persons were now fully accessible for humanitarian assistance.

Mr. Solana appealed to President Museveni to use his regional influence in order to facilitate the ongoing peace processes in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The President was confident about positive developments in Burundi, where elections are foreseen in the near future. He expressed satisfaction with the determined action of United Nations peace-keepers against militia groups in Ituri. Mr. Solana highlighted the EU's continued commitment to support security sector reforms in the DRC.

President Museveni also reconfirmed Uganda's intention to provide troops for a peace-support operation in Somalia under the auspices of the Inter-governmental Authority for Development. Mr. Solana underlined the EU's readiness to consider support an African peace-support mission that has the consent of the Transitional Government and Parliament of Somalia and is welcomed by the Somali public.

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• EU Council Conclusions - Northern Uganda (7/11/2005)