Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton blij met goede verloop Senegalese verkiezingen (en)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 28 February 2012

Statement by Catherine Ashton i, High Representative of the European Union, on the presidential election in Senegal and the ongoing election

process

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, today made the following statement:

"First of all, I should like to pay tribute to the citizens of Senegal who went to vote peacefully on 26 February to elect the President of the Republic, despite the background of tension, and regrettable acts of violence, against which the elections were held.

I congratulate the Senegalese electoral authorities, the representatives of the parties and civil society and media observers on the successful handling of the elections, and welcome the good cooperation between the authorities and the European Union Election Observation Mission.

I note the preliminary findings of the Election Observation Mission and encourage the authorities to take account of its recommendations so as to allow the highest possible turnout in the remainder of the election process. I invite all parties to show restraint pending the announcement of the official results and to behave peacefully at all times.

The European Union remains engaged, together with the European Election Observation Mission, to support the successful conduct of the process.

I would like to thank Mr Thijs Berman i, Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer of the Election Observation Mission, and his team, as well as the European Parliament delegation, led by Mr Christian Dan Preda, for their active engagement to increase the transparency and credibility of the election process."