EU halts preparations for Election Observation Mission deployment in Bangladesh

Brussels, Dec. 20 (NsNewsWire) — The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement
(today) Friday:

“The High Representative regrets that the main political forces in Bangladesh have been
unable to create the necessary conditions for transparent, inclusive and credible elections,
despite many efforts, including most recently under UN auspices.

The High Representative urges all sides to refrain from violence and encourages all political
leaders to respect the right of the people of Bangladesh to express their democratic choice.
The High Representative has decided to halt for now the preparations for the deployment of
an Election Observation Mission.

The EU remains nonetheless ready to observe the elections should the political conditions
allow for the holding of transparent, inclusive and credible elections”