Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2010-12-15-Speech-3-625"
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"en.20101215.31.3-625"2
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"Madam President, the situation in Côte d’Ivoire is very precarious, as lives are at risk – the lives of Ivorian citizens but also of many Europeans who are living and working in the country.
I believe important issues are at stake, not only the role which Côte d’Ivoire plays in Africa, but also the vast work done by the international community over the past 10 years to support crisis resolution and enhance stability. Presidential elections have been due for several years. In the end, it is a credit to the Ivorian people, to the work of the United Nations with the support of the international community and, in particular I must say, to the European Union and the facilitator, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, that these elections could finally take place.
All candidates had agreed beforehand the ground rules of the election. These included a special role for the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Mr Choi, in certifying the election results. A European electoral observation mission was sent to the country headed by Mr Cristian Preda, MEP. I thank him for his work and I believe he will be speaking shortly. It concluded that the elections were held in democratic conditions. I do thank and congratulate Mr Preda and his team for their courage as well as their excellent work, carried out in difficult circumstances.
The results were proclaimed by the Independent Electoral Commission and certified by the special representative of the UN Secretary-General. President Barroso and I were among the first to congratulate President Ouattara on his victory. The international community has been unanimous in recognising him. ECOWAS and the African Union have been crystal clear in their message. Mr Ouattara is the legitimate President of Côte d’Ivoire. On 3 December the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly was equally unambiguous in its declaration.
We are calling on all political forces in Côte d’Ivoire to respect the electoral outcome, to show responsibility and to refrain from any act of violence. All efforts should now be focused on the achievement of a peaceful transfer of power. UN resolutions provide for targeted measures against those who obstruct the peaceful transition and the elections.
African bodies have already resorted to sanctions on Côte d’Ivoire. The EU is ready to assume its responsibilities regarding targeted measures, and we have clearly said so this week in the Council with the EU Foreign Ministers, but we are also prepared to take measures to support the legally elected authorities.
The developments in Côte d’Ivoire are being followed closely by many actors and by public opinion, particularly in Africa and especially in neighbouring countries, many of which are also in a post-conflict situation and undergoing difficult democratic transition. The outcome of the present constitutional crisis in Côte d’Ivoire will send a strong signal to all forces on the African continent, both those in favour of democracy and those who are against.
The response of the European Union to this crisis is vital. As a major player in the international community, our role will be enhanced, and our credibility as a global champion of democracy improved, if our action can contribute to a peaceful handover of power in accordance with the will of the people of Côte d’Ivoire, clearly expressed in free and fair elections."@en1
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