Brussels, 04/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 4 January, the Swedish Presidency released the following statement on behalf of the EU: "The European Union welcomes the free, fair and transparent Parliamentary and Presidential elections held in Ghana on 7 and 28 December 2000. The orderly manner in which the elections took place is a clear sign of the commitment of the Ghanaian people, the authorities and the political parties to continue the consolidation of democracy in the country, in a spirit of tolerance and national unity. The EU congratulates all parties concerned for this achievement and expresses its willingness to contribute, in continued partnership with the Ghanaian authorities, to the economic and social development of this country, to the benefit of all Ghanaians. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration."