Brussels, 17/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 16 December, the day after the second round of legislative elections in Mali, Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, congratulated the Malian authorities on the smooth way in which the election had taken place. She underlined what is at stake as the decisive phase begins for national reconciliation and democracy.
Ashton said that, with the successful holding of the second round of legislative elections, Mali has turned the page of political transition. She congratulates the Malian authorities for the way the ballot was held and, more generally, the way in which they conducted a return to constitutional order. Ashton then went on to add that the new national assembly now has a huge task ahead of it. The European Union encourages it to exercise its role completely in order to promote reconciliation and national unity, ensure the balance of powers and good democratic governance. The European Union, she said, will continue to support Mali and all Malians in this phase that is crucial for the future of their nation.
In the meantime, the High Representative calls on all candidates and all parties present to accept the result of the vote or to resort to legal means should that result be challenged. The EU electoral observation mission, deployed at the request of the Malian authorities, will remain on the spot until the end of the electoral process. (AN/transl.jl)