Secretary-General welcomes decision of European Union to begin planning

for support of UN Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo

The following statement was issued on 25 March by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the decision of the European Union to start planning and preparation for a possible European Union support to the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).  Consultations between representatives from the European Union, the United Nations and the Congolese authorities are presently under way.

The Secretary-General very much appreciates the continuing close cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union in support of peace operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout Africa.

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For information media • not an official record