OSCE: EU Statement on the 10 September elections in Montenegro

Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Permanent Council No. 625

14 September 2006

The European Union welcomes the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections in the Republic of Montenegro on 10 September. The EU has taken note of the statement of the International Election Observation Mission in the Republic of Montenegro and welcomes its preliminary findings that the elections were conducted largely in accordance with OSCE commitments and international election standards.

The European Union calls upon the Montenegrin government to address the remaining challenges in the democratic process as identified by the International Election Observation Mission and stands ready to continue to assist Montenegro in this task.

The European Union looks forward to the smooth formation of the new government, allowing continuation of the reform process and consolidation of the rule of law. 

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement. 

* Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process