01/08/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, the High Representative for the CFSP Javier Solana has welcomed the way in which the elections in the DRC, the first in forty years (see EUROPE 9243), were held on 30 July. Mr Solana said, “I pay tribute to how well the presidential and legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo went off on 30 July. I congratulate the Congolese people who turned out in great numbers and who, in general, were able to vote in an atmosphere calm and dignity, demonstrating their determination to build a better future for their country. A new and important step has been taken, and I call on all Congolese players to continue to do all they can to ensure that the next stage of the process goes well. The European Union stands firmly by the side of the Congolese people at this historic time, and shows, through her presence of its EUFOR mission, among other things, its commitment to conclude these elections in a spirit of reconciliation and national consensus”. Karl von Wogau (CDU), the chairman of the security and defence sub-committee of the European Parliament says in a press release that the most critical phase will begin after the votes have been counted (the result of the presidential election is currently due to be announced on 15 September, and a second round is scheduled for 29 October if there is a need for a second ballot). Mr von Wogau says that he has been informed about the situation on the ground in a telephone conversation with MEPs Philippe Morillon, leader of the EU election observers, and Jürgen Schröder, leader of the EP observers.