Newsroom
International representatives in Skopje praise conduct of election, express concern over irregularities
SKOPJE 30 April 2004
SKOPJE, 30 April 2004 - Representatives of international organizations based in Skopje have commended the peaceful way the second round of presidential election was held on Wednesday.
A joint statement the Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission in Skopje, Ambassador Carlos Pais, the EU Special Representative Soren Jessen-Petersen, the U.S. Ambassador Lawrence Butler and NATO Commander, Brigadier General Dennis Blease, have issued yesterday evening in the capital reads as follows:
"Yesterday the citizens of this country demonstrated their commitment to democracy by turning out to choose the new President. In doing so they have closed a chapter which began with the tragic death of President Boris Trajkovski only a few short weeks ago. We applaud the arrangement of these elections at such short notice and in difficult circumstances. We were impressed by the peaceful manner in which the elections were conducted.
Domestic and international monitors have confirmed that the elections were generally in keeping with OSCE commitments and international norms, although serious irregularities were reported in some parts of the country. We urge the State Electoral Commission to take seriously all appeals and complaints, to investigate them promptly, and to act if they are found to have merit. This will feed into preparations for the local elections later this year. When the final results are announced and the appeals process is concluded, we expect all parties to accept the results as a fair reflection of the choice of the population and to turn their thoughts and actions to the future.
We urge the President, government, parliament, local authorities and citizens of this country to now concentrate on implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, strengthening the rule of law, including essential reforms to the judiciary, and promoting economic growth. These are the promises the politicians have made. It is now up to them to deliver."
A joint statement the Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission in Skopje, Ambassador Carlos Pais, the EU Special Representative Soren Jessen-Petersen, the U.S. Ambassador Lawrence Butler and NATO Commander, Brigadier General Dennis Blease, have issued yesterday evening in the capital reads as follows:
"Yesterday the citizens of this country demonstrated their commitment to democracy by turning out to choose the new President. In doing so they have closed a chapter which began with the tragic death of President Boris Trajkovski only a few short weeks ago. We applaud the arrangement of these elections at such short notice and in difficult circumstances. We were impressed by the peaceful manner in which the elections were conducted.
Domestic and international monitors have confirmed that the elections were generally in keeping with OSCE commitments and international norms, although serious irregularities were reported in some parts of the country. We urge the State Electoral Commission to take seriously all appeals and complaints, to investigate them promptly, and to act if they are found to have merit. This will feed into preparations for the local elections later this year. When the final results are announced and the appeals process is concluded, we expect all parties to accept the results as a fair reflection of the choice of the population and to turn their thoughts and actions to the future.
We urge the President, government, parliament, local authorities and citizens of this country to now concentrate on implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, strengthening the rule of law, including essential reforms to the judiciary, and promoting economic growth. These are the promises the politicians have made. It is now up to them to deliver."