Brussels, 08/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomed the preliminary conclusions of the observation mission from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) according to which the elections on 6 March in Moldova generally complied with the commitments of the OSCE, the Council of Europe and international standards, despite a few shortfalls. In a declaration, Ms Ferrero-Waldner recalls that the holding of democratic elections was one of the commitments taken by Moldova when the action plan for implementing the EU's Neighbourhood Policy toward Moldova was signed (see EUROPE of 23 February for the action plan, as well as EUROPE of 1 March, p.8, for the EP's resolution before the elections, and 4 March, p.5, for the EU Council Declaration). The Commission calls on Moldovan authorities to make up for the failings noted by the observer mission and gives its support to democratic reforms in Moldova, in the context of implementation of the action plan.
Estonian Social Democrat Marianne Mikko, who headed the delegation of observers from the European Parliament, said that, despite many problems, the elections showed that the Moldovan people hope to become part of a democratic Europe. German Green member Elisabeth Schroedter, who is a member of the EU/Moldova parliamentary commission, recognises that, in the political constellation resulting from this ballot (which left the pro-European communist party victorious but without absolute majority), “it will be difficult to elect the president as none of the parties represented in the parliament have the 61 votes needed, and it is unlikely that the communists will find a coalition”. In such circumstances, “the opposition may, after three rounds authorised for presidential elections, demand new elections”, Ms Schroedter warned, hoping that this would not be the case and that the Moldovan parties would rapidly reach a compromise.