Brussels, 02/08/2006 (Agence Europe) - During a joint press conference on 2 August in Kinshasa with Philippe Morillon MEP (ALDE, France), the Head of the EU Observers Mission, CDU MEP Jürgen Schröder heading the mission European Parliament Observers' Mission at the 20 July elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo welcomed the way the elections were held. The EU points out that the elections received almost €150 million (EUROPE 9243 and 9244). The EP delegation spent more than a week in the country and was able to meet other observers and representatives from Congolese authoroties and Congolese citizens, explained Mr Schröder, who exclaimed, “people are proud that they were able to finally participate in the first free elections in forty years. I have the impression that people see the future with much more optimism and hope in democracy”. At present all the Congolese should keep c lam and accept the election results (expected out in mid-September), explained the MEP. He said that the EU could not simpley leave “we have to stay involved and consolidate the democratic force of the country”.