Brussels, 04/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - After the official announcement on Wednesday that Hamid Karzai was the winner of the first direct presidential elections held on 9 October in Afghanistan, High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana wrote to the Afghan President to ensure him of his intention to continue "close cooperation and contact" with him. Mr Solana tells Mr Karzai in his letter: "The people of your country made history by participating in so great a number in these important elections. They have bestowed on you a strong and clear mandate to carry forward the democratic transformation of the country", by opening the way for parliamentary elections in spring 2005.
The Dutch Presidency also congratulates President Karzai in a declaration circulated on Wednesday on behalf of the EU, in which it states the Union's admiration for the determination shown by the Afghans to vote. "This is a truly historic occasion and … the large voter turn-out gives the newly elected President a strong, legitimate mandate and is the proof of the Afghan people's great enthusiasm for participation in the democratic process", the declaration stresses before continuing: "The EU also congratulates all those who were involved in organising and securing these elections in very challenging circumstances. Without denying the existence of a certain number of irregularities and shortcomings, the European Union commends the Afghan Electoral Commission and UNAMA for their successful handling of this unprecedented electoral process. The European Union notes the finding of the impartial panel of international electoral experts appointed to investigate the complaints and welcomes their assessment that any irregularities did not affect the democratic choice of the Afghan people. The European Union's Democracy and Election Support Mission will also publish its report and recommendations shortly. It will be important to apply the lessons learnt from these and other reports in the preparations for future elections. The European Union encourages the President to form a strong and broad-based cabinet that will foster the social and economic development of the country and will tackle the challenges ahead: counter-narcotics, building state institutions, including the Afghan National Army and police force, and disarming the militias. Looking to the next, equally important, stage in the democratisation process, the European Union urges all stakeholders to start logistical and administrative preparations for parliamentary and local elections, scheduled for April/May 2005, without delay. The European Union reiterates that it will remain a reliable, committed partner of Afghanistan with a long-term involvement in the country's reconstruction, development and stabilisation".