EU stuurt waarnemingsmissie naar Paraguay voor verkiezingen (en)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 15 March 2013 A

European Union to observe elections in Paraguay on 21 April 2013

Brussels, 15 March 2013 - The European Union, in response to an invitation by the Paraguayan authorities, is deploying a mission to observe the General Elections of 21 April. The Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), Ms Renate Weber i MEP, arrived in Asuncion on 14 March

Catherine Ashton i, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy, made the following statement today:

"The forthcoming elections in Paraguay will be very important for the stability and the democratic development of the country and the normalisation of relations in the region. I am confident that all stakeholders will engage in the process in a peaceful and democratic way.

The EU is a longstanding partner of Paraguay and I have decided, upon an invitation from the Authorities, to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission. I am confident that under the leadership of MEP Renate Weber the EOM will strengthen confidence in the process and enhance the credibility of the future government. I wish Ms Weber and her team all success in their assessment of this electoral process."

A core team of eight EU election analysts arrived in Asuncion on 2 March. They will gradually be joined by 22 long-term observers and 52 short-term observers from 27 EU member states, as well as from Norway. The EU EOM will also be integrated by a delegation from the European Parliament. Altogether, about a hundred EU observers will be in the country for the forthcoming elections

Shortly after Election Day, the mission will issue a preliminary statement of its initial findings at a press conference in Asuncion. The mission will remain in Paraguay to observe the final counting of votes and any complaint procedures, and to prepare a full report including recommendations to improve the electoral process in future. Ms Weber will present the final report during a later visit to Paraguay