10/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Catherine Ashton welcomes the holding of legislative elections. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed, on Tuesday 10 July, the holding of legislative elections in Mongolia on 28 June, which she described as “another important step in the strengthening of democracy in Mongolia”. “The EU looks forward to the smooth formation of a new government which will work for the benefit and prosperity of its people”, she added. Ashton also said that she is looking forward to deepening EU relations with Mongolia, with the signature of a partnership and cooperation agreement “in the near future”. She also spoke of how respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law are “at the heart” of the EU-Mongolia relationship. The democrat party won 31 of 76 seats in the grand Khoural, ahead of the former party in power, the popular party of Mongolia, which had 25 seats. (CG/transl.fl)