Brussels, 27/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - CFSP High Representative Javier Solana has congratulated Alvaro Uribe upon his election as President of Colombia. In a declaration published on 28 May, Mr Solana voiced the hope that the new President's term of office would give the results that "we, Colombians and Europeans, expect for the country's peace, equity and prosperity". Mr Solana expressed admiration for the exemplary behaviour of the people of Colombia on this election day, for which voter turnout was high in spite of the campaign of threats, intimidations and murders conducted by those who do not want democracy in Colombia. The High Representative also thanked the outgoing President, Andrés Pastrana, for his untiring efforts to secure peace, which unfortunately were not crowned with the success they deserved.
Gunnar Wiegand, spokesman for Chris Patten, Commissioner for external relations, also welcomed on behalf of the Commission the election of Alvaro Uribe and his call for national reconciliation in his first address to the nation after the elections. The Commission will remain committed to its efforts to secure a peaceful solution to the conflict in Colombia and is eager to work with the new government for a peaceful settlement and the strengthening of human rights in Colombia, he stated.
Liberal Alvaro Uribe was elected with 53% of the votes for a four-year term that will begin on 7 August. According to international observers, the election process took place normally in spite of acts of sabotage and fighting between guerrilleros and paramilitary forces, causing some dozen deaths and the suspension of voting in five towns and making the tallying of votes impossible in another six towns.