Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

The European Union will urgently consider the sending of a fact-finding mission to Moldova, the Moldovan presidential press service cited EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana as saying in a telephone conversation with Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin.

Voronin himself proposed sending such a mission to Moldova, the press service said. "Moldovan authorities are making every effort to keep the situation under control and prevent disorder in the future," he said.

Voronin informed Solana on the authorities' efforts to overcome the aftermath of the recent riots in Chisinau and asked for support from the European Commission in renovating the devastated administrative buildings, including the parliament and the presidential residence.

He also said the Moldovan government would provide the European Union mission with documents, including photos and video records, concerning the Chisinau riots.

Solana urged the Moldovan leadership to maintain constructive dialogue with the opposition in the interests of the country and its citizens, the press service said.