JAVIER SOLANA CONGRATULATED THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE AND URGED ALL THE POLITICAL FORCES TO ACT "IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY"

Mediamax
February 21, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Secretary General of the European Union Council
Javier Solana congratulated the Armenian people "on holding orderly
and competitive presidential elections".

Mediamax reports that the statement of Javier Solana reads:

"I would like to congratulate the people of Armenia on the conduct
of a competitive presidential election on 19 February and the high
turn-out. I am also pleased at the preliminary findings and conclusions
of the International Election Observation Mission which has assessed
the elections to be mostly in line with Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Council of Europe commitments
and standards.

I expect all political forces continue to act in a responsible way
after the elections. Complaints should be thoroughly investigated and
all shortcomings as identified by International Election Observation
Mission should be addressed. Any differences should be resolved
through dialogue.

The EU remains committed to further strengthening cooperation with
Armenia on the basis of the European Neighborhood Policy. The election
of a new president in Armenia is also an opportunity to take steps to
improve Armenia’s relations with its neighbors. This includes renewed
efforts towards a solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The
European Union supports the efforts of the Minsk Group and stands
ready to give further support to this process".