Verklaring van Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton over de politieke situatie in de Democratische Republiek Congo (en)

5680/11

PRESSE 12

Statement by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton i,

on behalf of the European Union, on the situation in

the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The European Union has been keeping a close watch on the process of reviewing Congo's Constitution, a process which has led, inter alia, to a change to both the rules for presidential elections and those governing institutional balances, and also monitored the backcloth against which it has taken place. The EU notes that the process ought to have been the subject of a broader public debate.

The EU intends to give further backing to dialogue between Congolese from all parties, whether on the majority or opposition side, and also within civil society, in the spirit of the national consensus which has prevailed since the adoption of the Constitution in 2006 and has made it possible to lay the foundations of an inclusive political system essential for consolidating the country's stabilisation.

The EU would underline the responsibility of the authorities of the DRC to ensure a free, fair and peaceful electoral process in which there is freedom of expression, including for the media, and a level playing field in which all candidates are able to campaign freely and safely. The EU also calls on all political parties to engage fully and peacefully in an inclusive democratic process.

The EU notes that the changes to the presidential ballot arrangements have little financial impact. It confirms its readiness to support a process which should result in democratic, credible and fully inclusive elections, on the understanding that its commitments will be reviewed in the light of a new electoral budget to be drawn up.