SOLANA EXPRESSES SATISFACTION

Hayots Ashkhar
Published on February 22, 2008

Javier Solana, High Commissioner for the EU General Foreign and
Security Policy Issues, has expressed satisfaction with the preliminary
assessments made by the International Mission of Observers with regard
to the course of the presidential elections of Armenia.

`I would like to congratulate the people of Armenia on holding
competitive elections on February 19 and ensuring a high level of
participation. I also express my satisfaction with the preliminary
assessments made by the International Mission of Observers in
connection with the course of the presidential elections of Armenia.
They believe that the elections were held in line with the commitments
to and the standards of the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

I anticipate that all the political forces will adopt a responsible
policy after the elections. All the dissatisfactions should be
thoroughly investigated, and all the irregularities observed during the
elections should be referred to. Any contradiction should be resolved
through a dialogue.

The European Union will remain faithful to the further strengthening of
the cooperation with Armenia, based on the European Neighborhood Policy.

The elections of the new President of Armenia are also an opportunity
of undertaking steps towards the establishment of relations with the
neighbors. It includes renewing the efforts towards the settlement of
the Karabakh conflict. The European Union upholds the efforts of the
OSCE Minsk Group and will provide the required assistance to the
process of conflict settlement.’