KINSHASA, Nov 1 - The European Union is ready to send humanitarian aid to civilians fleeing conflict in eastern Congo, but needs to consider further whether it will send European troops, France’s foreign minister said on Saturday.

Bernard Kouchner said France’s proposal this week that the EU send up to 1,500 troops to support hard-pressed UN peacekeepers in Democratic Republic of Congo had been only a suggestion, which was being consulted with all EU members.