LAGOS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over the security situation in Niger, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Cote d Ivoire.

    The move came at the end of the 16th EU and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ministerial meeting.

    According to a communiqué reaching here at the end of a meeting, both parties called for re-establishing a constructive and inclusive dialogue among all the Nigerien stakeholders to resolve the crisis and return the country to constitutional rule.

    "We are particularly concerned about the political situation in Niger and Guinea," said Frank Belfrage, the Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who represented the EU delegation,

    Belfrage who expressed support for ECOWAS plans to resolve the crises, stressing that the EU would be working closely with the community to achieve the goal.

    Birgudu Hirse, Nigeria's minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said ECOWAS is resolute on returning peace and stability to the countries, promising that the organization would continue to work with the EU to develop the sub-region.

    Hirse said ECOWAS and the EU are intensifying efforts to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to boost trade between their regions.

    The EU said the Nigerien authorities has been invited to Brussels to hold consultations on the way out of the political stalemate.

    The communiqué reiterated the condemnation of human rights violations in Guinea.

    It also expressed concern over the drug trafficking situation in Guinea Bissau and called for a comprehensive reform of the security situation in that country.

    The EU pledged support to the ECOWAS Stand-by-Force, scheduled to begin operation by 2010.