Brussels, 12/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission adopted on Tuesday a Communication by Commissioners Chris Patten and Poul Nielson on the electoral assistance provided by the EU to third countries. "Its role is to bring order to this sector and invite the Parliament and Council to co-operate with us to further coordinate our work" specified Commissioner Patten and presenting this Communication to the European Parliament.
The Communication first assesses the observers missions lead by the EU in Mozambique, Cambodia, Russia, etc. It then sets a framework for future missions. The cooperation will be one of the essential points, both with the Member States and the other international observers than with local "independent and viable" organisations, which the EU should contribute to establishing. A "elections" unit should be formed within the Commission so as to coordinate the Commission action and of its partners. The Commission also notes that the EU must take certain precautions before associating itself with any particular election, so as "not to caution, through its participation, non democratic electoral processes and sealed from irregularities. Furthermore, the Commission will insure to "make its participation more visible," answered the Commissioner to the MEPs who worry that the EU sends electoral mission without it being known.
In front of the MEPs, Commissioner Patten also presented the "rapid reaction facility" in the face of crisis (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.4), who "are particularly important to him." He called on the EP, and the Council to support this initiative so that the facility may be rapidly established.