US Fed News
February 20, 2008 Wednesday 7:30 AM EST

EUROPEAN UNION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR COMMON FOREIGN & SECURITY
POLICY SOLANA CONGRATULATES ARMENIAN PEOPLE ON ORDERLY CONDUCT OF
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

BRUSSELS, Belgium

The European Union’s European Council issued the following press
release:

Javier SOLANA,
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EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security policy
(CFSP), issued the following statement today congratulating the
people of Armenia on the orderly and competitive conduct of the
presidential election in Armenia:

"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 Organisation 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 Neighbourhood Policy. The
election of a new president in Armenia is also an opportunity to take
steps to improve Armenia’s relations with its neighbours. 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."