Joint statement says Somali reconciliation process at "critical stage"
The United States and the European Union (EU) welcome Somali efforts to reach agreement on the relocation of the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions to Somalia, "including the efforts of the Somali parties to facilitate demilitarization in Mogadishu," according to a joint U.S.-EU statement released May 11 by the U.S. Department of State.
"The European Union and United States urge all Somali parties to continue their efforts towards reconciliation and dialogue and quickly come to an agreement that will facilitate the relocation of the Transitional Federal Institutions to Somalia," the statement says.
The statement also welcomes the visit of Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi to Mogadishu as "a positive step forward in the reconciliation process," which is at "a critical stage."
Following is the text of the joint statement:
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U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
May 11, 2005
Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman
US-EU JOINT STATEMENT ON SOMALIA
The following is the text of a joint statement by the United States and the European Union on Somalia.
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"The United States and the European Union welcome Somali efforts to conclude an agreement on the relocation of the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions to Somalia, including the efforts of the Somali parties to facilitate demilitarization in Mogadishu, which should be incorporated into a national plan as soon as possible.
"The Somali reconciliation process is at a critical stage. There is an urgent need for a viable agreement on relocation and security endorsed by the Transitional Federal Institutions. In order for this process to succeed, the Somali people, through the Transitional Federal Institutions, must make their own decisions regarding how best to relocate to Somalia and begin the gradual process of establishing governance.
"The European Union and United States urge all Somali parties to continue their efforts towards reconciliation and dialogue and quickly come to an agreement that will facilitate the relocation of the Transitional Federal Institutions to Somalia.
"The European Union and the United States also welcome the visit of Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi to Mogadishu. This visit represents a positive step forward in the reconciliation process. We deeply regret, however, the incident of May 3rd at Mogadishu Stadium during the Prime Minister's visit and we extend our condolences to the families and relatives of the victims."
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)