24/04/2020 (Agence Europe) – The EU welcomed, on Thursday 23 April, the decision by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to recognise the victory of Umaro Sissoco Emballo in the second round of the December 2019 presidential election in Guinea Bissau, as it " brings an end to a prolonged post-electoral stalemate which was detrimental to the stability of the country" according to a statement by the European External Action Service issued on Thursday evening. The EU now considers it "crucial that all actors respect this decision". It recalls that "as a first step, the President should appoint, at the latest on 22 May, a Prime Minister and a new Government in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and in conformity with the results of the legislative elections of March 2019". The EU expresses its commitment to lend its full support to the consolidation of democracy and stability in the country. ((AN)