Brussels, 03/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Luxembourg Presidency on Thursday adopted a declaration on behalf of the twenty-five on the situation in Moldova in the run-up to the legislative elections on Sunday 6 March. In the declaration, the EU emphasises the importance it attaches to the free and democratic running of the elections, recalling that it is also a commitment made by the Moldovan authorities under the Action Plan signed on 22 February with a view to the implementation of the neighbourhood policy. The EU welcomes the invitation from Moldova to the Election Observation Mission of the ODIHR/OSCE (the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and calls on the OSCE Member States to send short-term observers to the mission. However, the EU regrets that campaign coverage, particularly by the public media which broadcast throughout the country is still unfair and does not fulfil all the guarantees of impartiality. It also notes the allegations of intimidation and abuses of power on the part of the police and local authorities against several opposition parties. “The EU notes with interest the intention of the Moldovan authorities to take measures to remedy this situation and hopes to see the changes made for the final few days of the campaign. The EU reiterates its appeal to the Moldovan authorities to ensure that the candidates from all parties are in a position to conduct their campaigns in an atmosphere free of harassment and intimidation”, the declaration concludes.