Brussels, 30 March 2012 - At the invitation of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the European Union will observe the parliamentary elections to be held on 10 May. The Election Observation Mission (EOM) will be deployed from 30 March and will include more than 120 observers. The presence of these observers across the country and covering all stages of the electoral process will contribute to transparency and confidence in the 10 May elections.

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said: ‘The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and the European Union enjoy close and special ties. I am pleased with the trust that the Algerian Government has placed in us by issuing this invitation. It shows the maturity of our relations, on the basis of which we maintain an open dialogue on all subjects, including the most sensitive. The elections on 10 May are important in the context of the reform process started by Algeria in 2011.’

The constructive and diligent attitude adopted by Algeria allowed the memorandum of understanding on the deployment of the mission to be concluded quickly. The memorandum was signed by the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Mr Štefan Füle, on 20 March in Algiers.

The observation mission will be led by Mr Jose Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Member of the European Parliament, and will be composed of a core team and long- and short-term observers, who will be deployed gradually in time for the elections.

The mission will present its preliminary conclusions in Algiers the day after the elections. It will remain in Algiers to observe the final counting of votes and any complaint procedures, and to prepare a full report including recommendations to improve the electoral process in future.

The EU is particularly involved in supporting the strengthening of institutions in Algeria and regards democracy, respect for human rights and the holding of free and transparent elections as key pillars of this process.

Contacts :
Michael Mann ( +32 2 299 97 80 )
Maja Kocijancic ( +32 2 298 65 70 )
Sebastien Brabant ( +32 2 298 64 33 )