Brussels, 31/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 29 May, the Spanish Presidency on behalf of the EU made the following statement, "The EU welcomes the development of the electoral process in Colombia, which demonstrates that democracy and the will of an entire people to live in peace and freedom are flourishing. However, the EU deplores the fact that part of the civilian population was not able to exercise freely its democratic right to vote because of the insecurity resulting from repeated terrorist attacks against democratic institutions of the country, their representatives and the population as a whole. The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the act of violence, which claimed victims. The EU also congratulates the President elect of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, who achieved a historic victory at the elections on 26 May. His election is proof of Colombians' firm support for and confidence in him personally and his plan for the country's future. Moreover, the Union is convinced that the President elect of Colombia, on the firm basis of the rule of law and full compliance with human rights and fundamental freedoms, will be able to meet in full the aspirations for peace and prosperity of all its people. Furthermore, the EU will continue to stand by the Colombian people and their Government in their efforts to secure justice, social development and the reconciliation of all Colombians, and in their struggle against terrorism, impunity and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The Union supports the quest for a negotiated solution to the conflict in which Colombia is embroiled. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with he EU, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration".