| Date: 12/05/2012 Time: 07:48:00 PM |
The European Union Saturday welcomed the holding
of legislative elections in Algeria on Thursday "in a peaceful and orderly
atmosphere."
"We consider these elections to be a step forward in the reform process
which started in April 2011 in Algeria," said EU High Representative Catherien
Ashton and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan
Fulle, in a joint statement in Brussels.
They noted that the newly elected parliament "will be called to play an
important role in this process and welcomed the increased participation of
women in this Assembly.
The preliminary findings of the EU's Election Observation Mission "have
acknowledged positive developments in the electoral process while underlining
some areas where improvements can be made," said the EU statement.
"EU looks forward to the newly elected parliament taking forward the reform
process based on democratic principles and the respect for human rights and
the rule of law," added the statement.
Algeria's ruling party, the National Liberation Front, reportedly won 220
seats in the 462-member assembly. |