Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the elections in Sao Tome and Principe

Press release 277/2006
4 August, 2006

The European Union is pleased to note that the Presidential elections in Sao Tome and Principe on 30 July 2006 were considered by international observers as peaceful and generally well organised, allowing voters to exercise their rights according to international standards for free and fair elections.

The European Union congratulates the people of Sao Tome and Principe for the peaceful electoral process and for demonstrating their clear commitment to democracy. The EU commends the National Election Commission and all international observers for their contribution towards the orderly conduct of the elections.

The European Union welcomes the acceptance of the results by the candidates and encourages all political parties to continue to work together for the consolidation of sustainable democracy and progress in the country. The European Union will continue to support Sao Tome and Principe in these aims.

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, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 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.