Brussels, 21/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Union has welcomed the decision by Andry Rajoelina, interim President of Madagascar, and Marc Ravalomanana, his predecessor, not to stand in the presidential elections scheduled for May as a positive step, and urges the authorities of the country to “speed up preparations” for these elections. In the view of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, “this decision is an important step towards ensuring a peaceful political environment to allow credible elections to be held in May and July 2013”, stated a press release published by her spokesperson on Saturday 19 January. The high representative calls on all Madagascan political players to “unremittingly continue efforts in implementing the roadmap to come out of crisis” and reiterates “the considerable political and financial support of the EU, which is conditional upon the roadmap being observed”.
Ashton welcomes the fact that the African Union is planning to hold meetings of its Peace and Security Council and its International Contact Group on Madagascar in the near future. Although he announced his withdrawal from the 2013 elections, Rajoelina intends to stand for the presidential elections of 2018. (AN/transl.fl)