Brussels, 04/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU says a good start was made in Niger in the country's general elections on 31 January, which were monitored and supported by the EU (see EUROPE 10297).
In a joint statement published on Thursday 3 February, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs welcomed the great sense of responsibility demonstrated by the Nigerien electorate, with voters turning up to vote peacefully in the first round of the presidential election and in the parliamentary election.
Ashton and Piebalgs point out that following the 31 October 2010 constitutional referendum in Niger these elections mark a crucial stage in the process of transition to democracy and a major step towards the restoration of full cooperation between the EU and Niger. They urge the candidates, authorities and the Independent National Electoral Commission to continue to ensure the highest possible level of transparency in the process, and call on the Transitional Constitutional Council to do its utmost to ensure that the detailed final results of the elections can be published as soon as possible. (A.N./transl.fl)