EU congratulates Armenia for well run parliamentary elections
Today, European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner “commended the people of Armenia and their leaders" on the fact that the May 12 parliamentary elections were conducted largely in accordance international standards for democratic elections.
This declaration
followed the publication of a joint statement by the OSCE’s
International Election Observation Mission, which concluded that the
elections “demonstrated improvement from previous ones” and were
“largely in accordance with international commitments”.
Ms Ferrero-Waldner added that “Armenia has thus made an important
step forward in fulfilling a key priority of the EU / Armenia Action
Plan under the European Neighbourhood Policy. I am confident that the
new parliament, together with the new government, will continue firmly
on the path of reform. This is vital for the Armenian people as well as
for the future of our relationship."
Marie Anne Isler Beguin, who headed the EP delegation in Armenia,
concurred: "with their participation in these elections, Armenian
citizens have made a further step towards European democratic values as
foreseen and promoted by the EU Neighborhood Policy. The EU delegation
encourages the Armenian people to continue in this direction in view of
forthcoming elections."
Leo Platvoet, the Head of the delegation sent to Armenia by the
Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, shared in the general
enthusiasm: "we congratulate the Armenian people on showing the will to
hold democratic elections. Some challenges remain, such as intertwining
between political and business interests and improvements are still
needed to the electoral complaints procedure. The Council of Europe and
its Assembly continue to stand ready to assist Armenia in this
process."
Europe's positive assessment of the electoral process in Armenia
should be of considerable importance to the future of the relationship
between the EU and Armenia.
The party that obtained most votes in the elections was the ruling
Republican Party, followed by Prosperous Armenia, the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation, the Rule of Law Party and the Heritage Party.
Other parties did not pass the 5% threshold.
Links:
www.osce.org
europa.eu/rapid/searchAction.do
www.armeniaforeignministry.com
www.elections2007.am
