Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Presidential Elections in Nicaragua

Press release 474/2006
20 November, 2006

The European Union acknowledges the results of the presidential elections held on 5 November 2006 in Nicaragua, as communicated by the Supreme Electoral Council on 14 November, and congratulates Mr. Daniel Ortega Saavedra for his election as the President of the Republic of Nicaragua.

The European Union notes with satisfaction the high turnout of voters, demonstrating the commitment to a peaceful and democratic process by the people of Nicaragua. The European Union Election Observation Mission has in its preliminary report stated that the elections have been adequately administered in a peaceful, competitive, and transparent manner, giving way to a further consolidation of the democratic evolution of the country.

The European Union expresses its support for the future development of the country, and emphasises its determination to continue the close and constructive cooperation with Nicaragua. The European Union is  confident that the new administration will pursue vigorously the continuation of macroeconomic stability and poverty alleviation, underlining the importance of respect for human rights and international human rights agreements, good governance and the fight against corruption, all of which are crucial for the future prosperity of the country and the well-being of its citizens.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.