Press Release: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on universal suffrage in Hong Kong

The European Union has consistently supported early progress towards universal suffrage in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law. We consider this to be in the best interests of both Hong Kong and China. We are therefore disappointed that the possibility of universal suffrage for 2012 elections has been ruled out, as the Hong Kong SAR Government had itself recognised in its report that the majority of Hong Kong's people were clearly in favour of this.