Brussels, 07/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU has welcomed the peaceful way in which the first round of voting in the general election passed off in Liberia. The results were announced on 25 October (see EUROPE 10473). The EU, however, regrets the opposition decision not to take part in the second round of the presidential election, scheduled for Tuesday 8 November.
In a statement published on Monday 7 November, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton “once again congratulates the Liberian people and the Liberian National Elections Commission” and notes with satisfaction that the elections were conducted peacefully and were qualified by all observation missions, national or international, as credible and transparent.
She feels, however, that the opposition's decision not to participate in the second round “deprives Liberians of the choice they deserve and weakens rather than strengthens the democratic process”. (AN/transl.rt)