The European Union (EU) on Monday pledged its continued engagement in Somalia to help the African nation fight piracy and push forward its economic and social development.

Recalling the EU contribution to international efforts against piracy through the EU NAVFOR ATALANTA operation, the EU "stresses the continued engagement of the EU, including in the delivery of humanitarian aid as well as for reconstruction and development," said a statement issued during the regional bloc's foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels.

The EU also expressed its hope that efforts directed at demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of former combatants can begin soon.

The EU ministers condemned the recent fighting in Somali capital Mogadishu, which targeted the Transitional Federal Institutions and the Djibouti peace process, and called for immediate cessation of hostilities to avoid further civilian casualties and deplored the humanitarian consequences of recent attacks.

Fighting has intensified in the Horn of Africa nation recently, having killed more than 150 people since May 7.

The EU ministers underlined the important political role of the countries in the region, and expressed their appreciation for the commitment shown by the AU and stressed the importance of continued international coordination within the International Contact Group for Somalia under the leadership of UN Secretary-General's Special Representative Ahmedou Ould Abdallah.

The EU ministers pointed out that "a stable security environment in Somalia is vital for building state institutions, providing adequate humanitarian aid, kick-starting recovery efforts and reducing the threat of piracy," expressing its appreciation to the African Union (AU) and to AMISOM (AU peacekeeping mission) troop contributing countries for their contribution to stabilizing the situation in Mogadishu.

They voiced support for the ambition of the new Transitional Federal Government to focus on the development and strengthening of national capacity in the security sector. The security sector should be firmly committed to the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the principles of good governance and accountability, said the ministers.

Meanwhile, they stressed the importance of building up the Somali National Security Force (NSF) as soon as possible, welcoming the important financial contributions to the NSF made at the International Conference on Security in Somalia last month.

Somalia, a nation of about 8 million people, has experienced almost constant conflict since the collapse of its central government in January 1991.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2009)