Brussels, 28 December 1996
12987/96 (Presse 390)
E/116/96
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Guatemala
The European Union and its Member States are pleased to observe that the Guatemalan peace process has now entered its final phase, with the signing of the Mexico City, Oslo, Stockholm and Madrid Agreements. These Agreements deal, respectively, with the strengthening of civil power and the role of the army in a democratic society, the cease-fire, constitutional reforms and the electoral regime and the rehabilitation of the URNG (Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca) and its return to legality.
This final phase has required a combined effort of will, particularly on the part of President Arzu and of the URNG. The United Nations Moderation Group, the Group of Friends of Guatemala and the rest of the international community have always supported the parties in this long and difficult process, which is to culminate in the signing of the implementation programme for the Agreements in Guatemala on 29 December, and the signing of a Firm and Lasting Peace Accord.
The European Union wishes to express its profound satisfaction at this outcome and reiterates its determination to stand by Guatemala in this new chapter of its history, by strengthening the cooperation instruments needed to help to bring the process to a successful conclusion.
Iceland, Norway, the Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union and the associated country Cyprus align themselves with this declaration.
