Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union following the postponement of the Parliamentary Elections in Yemen
The European Union regrets that, despite lengthy negotiations, the Yemeni government and opposition have failed to reach consensus over the holding of elections in 2009. We call upon all political parties to make good use of their agreement to postpone the parliamentary elections for two years and to urgently establish a clear roadmap setting out the measures required to improve the electoral system and deepen democracy. The EU is willing to support this process, which we hope will focus particularly on the review of the Electoral Law, as recommended by the EU Elections Observation Mission following the
2006 Presidential election, and through strengthening the role of the Parliament and parliamentary groups.
The EU calls on all political parties and civil society to work together to strengthen the unity of the country, the democratic institutions of the state, and the rule of law. The time before the elections should be used not only to secure real progress in Yemen’s process of democratization, but also to put in place other important reforms necessary to address the country’s serious economic and security challenges. The EU is also ready to support Yemeni efforts in this regard. If progress is not made, the situation may lead to a setback for democracy and stability in Yemen.
The EU will closely monitor progress towards electoral reform and review the scope for deploying an Elections Observation Mission for the Parliamentary elections now scheduled for 2011.
The Candidate Countries Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this declaration. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.