EU Welcomes Elections in East TimorThe European Union (EU) said Friday it welcomed the elections held in East Timor on Thursday.The parliamentary elections took place at a "historic moment for the East Timorese people, who have just taken part in the first democratic elections in their history," the EU said in a statement. "That crucial step paves the way for the establishment of political institutions for a new, democratic state," the 15-nation bloc said in the presidency declaration. "The European Union is pleased to note the preliminary findings of its observer mission, reporting that elections to the East Timorese Constituent Assembly passed off calmly and peacefully on Thursday, August 30, 2001." The EU reiterated its full support for consolidation of the path to independence and would encourage East Timor's political representatives to follow the popular will freely expressed in these elections. |
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