27/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 26 November the Danish Presidency made the following declaration: "The EU congratulates the people of Ecuador for the peaceful and transparent process of presidential and legislative elections of 20 October and 24 November 2002. The free and fair elections testify to the consolidation of democracy in Equator as witnessed by the EU Electoral Observation Mission, which has been present throughout the electoral process. The EU congratulates Mr Lucio Edwin Gutierrez Borbúa on his election as President of Ecuador and wishes him every success in the task of further stabilising democracy and the rule of law. The EU urges all political and social forces in Ecuador to work together to face the country's political and economic challenges through dialogue and national consensus. The EU would like to reaffirm its commitment to further the ties in the political, economic and development fields with Ecuador and the Andean region as a whole in order to alleviate poverty, fight corruption and strengthen democracy, the respect for human rights and the rule of law."