EU hails Democratic victory


The Democratic Party celebrates last night (Beta)

BRUSSELS, LJUBLJANA, PARIS -- The EU Presidency has welcomed the victory of pro-European forces at yesterday’s parliamentary ballot.

In a statement, the EU Presidency expresses its hope that a new government will be formed “with a clear European agenda.”

“The EU presidency warmly congratulates the clear victory of the pro-European forces at the Serbian elections,” reads the statement.

The EU also welcomes “the peaceful passage of the elections, which, according to initial reports, were held in a free and democratic manner.”

“The Presidency hopes that the new government will be formed with a clear European agenda,” the statement continues.

The Slovenian presidency stresses that meeting the criteria set out by the EU Council of Ministers on April 29 in Luxembourg would allow Serbia “to progress further down its road to the EU, which would involve receiving candidate status.”

“The EU expects the new government to engage constructively in regional cooperation,” the statement concludes.

Meanwhile, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel has said that he is very pleased that President Boris Tadić will have a bigger role in the future. “Serbia’s pro-European forces have won, which was our aim in the EU. It looks as if Tadić’s Democrats will have a significant role, which pleases me greatly,” he said.

Kouchner: Serbia has chosen Europe

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has welcomed the results of yesterday’s elections, adding that Serbia's citizens have "clearly voted for Europe."

“The ballot’s preliminary results give a significant lead for the coalition headed by President Boris Tadic,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that Serbia had clearly voted for Europe on May 11.

Kouchner congratulated representatives of the Democratic Party on their victory in a telephone call last night, the statement added.

French Secretary of State Jean Pierre Jouyet also hailed the “outcome of the Serbian vote.”

“After these elections, we’ll endeavor to cement Serbia’s European prospects,” said Jouyet, adding that “the Serbs know that they can count on Europe and France.”

The election results were also welcomed by EU High Representative Javier Solana’s spokeswoman Cristina Gallach.