01/08/2008 (Agence Europe) - European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner has welcomed that the parliamentary elections passed off peacefully in Cambodia on 27 July, but was critical that a number of international democratic standards were not met. “In comparison to previous elections important progress has been made including efforts to improve transparency guarantees. However, a number of key international standards for democratic elections, mostly related to the uneven playing field between political parties, have not been met,” she said in a press release on 31 July. She called upon all political actors to seize the opportunity to address the problems encountered and to commit to further strengthening democracy in Cambodia. (H.R./transl.rt)