OSCE Chairman Karel De Gucht welcomes free and fair conduct of elections in Ukraine
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister De Gucht. (OSCE/Mikhail Evstafiev) Photo details
BRUSSELS, 27 March 2006 - OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, has expressed his satisfaction over the conduct of the 26 March parliamentary elections in Ukraine.
"It was a competitive ballot, open to the representatives of a wide political spectrum. This is a crucial move for the consolidation of the democratic process," he said. "The citizens of Ukraine were allowed to express their vote freely."
The CiO also welcomed the large participation of the voters in the election. "The conduct of yesterday's elections is encouraging," Minister De Gucht said.
"It shows that Ukraine has already made considerable progress. However, these positive dynamics should be pursued in order to further strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the country," he concluded.
"It was a competitive ballot, open to the representatives of a wide political spectrum. This is a crucial move for the consolidation of the democratic process," he said. "The citizens of Ukraine were allowed to express their vote freely."
The CiO also welcomed the large participation of the voters in the election. "The conduct of yesterday's elections is encouraging," Minister De Gucht said.
"It shows that Ukraine has already made considerable progress. However, these positive dynamics should be pursued in order to further strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the country," he concluded.