EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton hailed “the courage and bravery” of the Afghan people to chose new president by voting, praising the authorities and security forces’ efforts to ensure safety of voters and in organising the polls.
“I pay tribute to the courage and bravery of the Afghan people in their determination to have their rightful say in who will be their president. They have sent a clear message that votes – not violence – should decide who governs Afghanistan,” Ashton said in a statement.
She made special mention of the many women of Afghanistan who turned out to cast their ballot “in spite of the many barriers they face to their legitimate aspirations to play a full part in Afghanistan’s politics.”
“I also want to credit the Afghan authorities and the Afghan National Security Forces for their considerable efforts in ensuring voter safety and in organising the elections on schedule,” she said.
“The EU has shown its commitment to the process by deploying an observation team led by Thijs Berman MEP. The team will remain in Afghanistan until the election process is completed,”Ashton added.
She called on all parties “to now let the electoral bodies perform their task of making sure that the final results reflect the will of the people as accurately as possible,” the statement said.
