Press Release: EU Election Observation Mission to West Bank and Gaza Deployed

The European Union Election Observation Mission for the Presidential elections in West Bank and Gaza begun work on 10 December 2004. In total, the EU was deploying more than 260 observers. This includes the EU Election Observation Mission with a core team of 13 staff, some 40 long-term observers and more than 130 short-term observers. The total also comprised an observation delegation from the European Parliament made up of 30 Members of Parliament plus 16 assistants, and contributions from the governments of Switzerland, Norway and Canada. The EU Election Observation Mission's Chief Observer, Mr. Michel Rocard, Member of the European Parliament, held a round of meetings with relevant interlocutors in the West Bank and Israel. The presence of the EOM and the reporting of its observers were aimed at helping to increase transparency and provide an independent and impartial assessment of the election process.