20/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 17 October, in Brussels, the Italian EU Presidency adopted the following statement: "The EU acknowledges progress over previous elections in Azerbaijan, but regrets that some shortcomings were observed. The IEOM stated in its preliminary conclusions that voting was generally well administered in most polling stations but that the overall election process still fell short of international standards in several respects, with violent incidents, inappropriate police actions and unequal conditions for candidates. The EU recognises nonetheless that the election shows significant efforts towards international standards. It expresses its best wishes to the newly elected President, together with the hope that he will lead the country on the basis of genuinely democratic principles and values. The Union encourages as well the President to commit himself and the country to the resumption of the peace process for the settlement of the conflict opposing Armenia and Azerbaijan."