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Timor-Leste

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the first round of the presidential election in Timor-Leste

8371/1/07 REV 1 (Presse 78)
P 33/07

Brussels, 16 April 2007 - The EU congratulates the Timorese population who have shown their commitment to democracy and peace by participating in huge numbers in a generally peaceful way in the first presidential elections since independence in 2002. The EU regards these elections as an important milestone on the road to nation-building and to re-establishing stable democratic structures and accountable democratic institutions.

The EU expresses its appreciation for the Timorese authorities, particularly the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration and the National Election Commission for organizing the polling for the first time in their own responsibility in a smooth and efficient way despite the difficult terrain and logistics involved.

The EU calls on all political forces to accept the results of the elections, including the upcoming runoff election, and adhere to the principles of non-violence and legal processes to ensure that the elections have a unifying impact and contribute to bringing the people of Timor-Leste together.

The EU Member States and the European Commission remain fully committed to assist Timor-Leste in completing this year=B4s election process and will continue to monitor the forthcoming elections.

The EU Member States and the European Commission underline their support for Timor Leste to address the challenges ahead to rebuild the security sector, to reestablish the rule of law and to guarantee the further socio-economic development of the population of Timor-Leste.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process