Press Release: Brussels (12-01-2001) - Press: 7 - Nr: 5049/01
Brussels, 12 January 2001
5049/01 (Presse 7)
P 5/01


PRESS RELEASE

Subject :
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on joint Bhutan-Nepal refugees verification. 

The European Union welcomes the recent important steps taken by the Governments of Bhutan and Nepal to  resolve the question of refugee camps in eastern Nepal, and the  determination shown by the two Governments to find a lasting solution through  bilateral dialogue in a spirit of good neighbourliness. 

The European Union is one of the major sponsors of the United Nations High  Commissioner for Refugees' programme in the camps. The European Union  welcomes the prospect of a speedy verification process leading to the repatriation of refugees and the ultimate closing of the camps.  It will closely follow the work of the Ministerial Joint Committee and the Joint Verification Team.

The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the 
European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and  the EFTA countries members of the European Economic Area, align themselves  with this declaration.