UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the signing in Helsinki of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday.

    In a statement issued by the spokesman, Annan applauded both parties for reaching a peaceful settlement of the dispute through dialogue, and commended Martti Ahtisaari for the mediation role that he played throughout the negotiation process.

    "The Secretary-General is pleased to learn that the MoU is a comprehensive agreement, covering a wide array of issues ranging from the governing of Aceh and security arrangements to human rights issues," Dujarric said.

    Annan sincerely hoped that the MoU will be implemented in full,so that a lasting peace can prevail in Aceh after nearly 30 years of conflict there, the spokesman added.

    The Secretary-General stressed the people in Aceh deserve a peaceful future, and reiterated his call for both parties to demonstrate continued resolve and commitment throughout the implementation of the MoU, Dujarric noted.

    "In this connection, he is encouraged to learn that monitors from the European Union and a number of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries are being deployed as of today to Aceh as a part of the Aceh Monitoring Mission," the spokesman said. Enditem