KINSHASA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Swedish ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Van De Geer, said on Thursday that reforms for the DRC armed forces (FARDC) is a priority for the European Union (EU).

The Swedish diplomat, whose country will be assuming the rotating EU Presidency, made the remarks at a meeting with the DRC's Defense Minister Charles Mwando Nsimba.

He said he was pleased with the progress made so far by the government, which already tabled a bill on army reform in parliament.

He reiterated the EU readiness to collaborate with the Congolese government in the reform, saying the EU could participate in the biometric census of the FARDC.

He also announced that the EUSEC plan will soon be operational to boost security in the DRC when the reform measures are unfolded.