Summary: July 4, 2005: Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, welcomes overall peaceful conduct of elections in Albania (Brussels)
Javier SOLANA, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), made the following statement today on the conduct of general elections in Albania on Sunday 3 July 2005:
"I welcome that the elections yesterday, which registered a high voter turnout, took place in a generally peaceful manner in most parts of the country. I note, however, that the first reports refer to certain shortcomings. These shortcomings must be investigated and addressed so that they do not recur in future.
All political forces must continue to refrain from premature conclusions on the outcome and await the results of the final count, and should act in accordance with the Code of Conduct in accepting the results achieved as a democratic expression of the choice of the Albanian electorate. Any disputes must be referred to the relevant Albanian bodies and their independent decisions must be fully respected. Looking forward to the OSCE/ODIHR's final assessment, it is important that the next steps in
the electoral process, and any possible further campaigning, fully comply with international standards and entirely respect the Electoral Law and the Code of Conduct.
I appeal to all democratic forces to work together in order to ensure that a new government based on a clear and strong European reform agenda can be formed in a rapid, smooth and democratic manner, and I look forward to a constructive working spirit in the new Parliament."
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