Brussels, 21/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 19 January, the spokesperson for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton hailed the “important step” taken with the outcome of the presidential elections in Madagascar and congratulated Mr Hery Rajaonarimampianina on his being elected president of his country. The high representative agrees with the EU's observation mission's generally positive assessment of the electoral process but points out that the mission has formulated a number of concrete recommendations to improve the process in the future.
Whilst waiting for the announcement of the final results of the general elections, the high representative is calling on the president-elect and all stakeholders in the electoral process to show restraint and respect for the judicial procedures established in the context of this framework. Ashton is also encouraging them to show willingness for openness and reconciliation in their approach to creating the new institutions resulting from the elections, which will focus on Madagascar's return to constitutional order and consequently allow for the country to normalise its relationship with the EU. The high representative believes that this is an “historic moment” for Madagascar's peaceful political transition. She also reiterates the EU's commitment to continuing to provide support for the people of Madagascar, in close collaboration with the SADC (South African Development Community) and the African Union, so that the country can definitively turn the page on its lengthy period of crisis. (OL/transl.fl)