The European Union's security chief Javier Solana said in Brussels Monday that the EU is concerned about the situation in Kyrgyzstan.

He made the comment in a statement on the current situation in the country after the elections of Feb. 27 and March 13.

"We are closely following the course of events in Kyrgyzstan. We are concerned that the parliamentary elections fell short of OSCE (Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe) commitments and other international standards in a number of important areas," he said.

"This has caused a rise in tension. The latest news about the use of force against protesters in Osh and Jalal-Abad and outbreaks of violence is particularly disturbing," Solana said.

The EU holds that strict adherence to the principle of non-violence is vital for the resolution of the emerging conflict.

"We fully support the call of the OSCE Center in Bishkek to the authorities and the opposition to engage in a broad dialogue aimed at finding a viable and democratic solution," the EU security said.
 
More than 17,000 people rallied in Kyrgyzstan on Monday, seizing government buildings in the latest protests demanding the resignation of President Askar Akayev over allegations of election fraud.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2005)