Brussels, 28/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - The High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, held talks on Wednesday with Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan, on the latest developments concerning the presidential elections planned for 9 October, according to Cristina Gallach, Mr Solana's spokesperson.
According to the spokesperson, Javier Solana has told President Karzai of his pleasure at the interest shown in these elections by the Afghan people, as shown by the number of registered voters, (7.5 millions out of an estimated 10 million), and high number of candidates standing for the first round on 9 October. The High Representative also stated that the number of registered voters and the "ideological diversity of the candidates for the Presidency symbolise the commitment of the Afghan people to pluralism and electoral politics". As the time, according to the press release, Mr Solana acknowledged the fact that President Karzai "faces a difficult decision in his choice of the vice-presidential team", whilst noting that the EU "fully respects and supports the President's choice of his two running mates, both of whom are persons of high standing and integrity as well as committed to the process of reform".