Press Release:Commission boosts its support for democratisation

The European Commission adopted on the 11.4.00 a Communication on 'Electoral Assistance and Observation'. The Communication identifies ways of making the EU's activities in this area more effective and coordinated. The Communication draws on the lessons learnt from past involvement and sets down some guidelines and a framework for future EU electoral assistance and observation, involving coordinated activity between all EU institutions and member states, including the European Parliament. Criteria for deciding on election assistance and observation are proposed so as to ensure that EU involvement is does not lend credibility to flawed and undemocratic election processes. The importance of working closely with other organisations is underlined.