By EuAsiaNews
Brussels : European Union Foreign Ministers held an exchange of views on the latest developments in Pakistan, in the run-up to general elections on 18 February during their meeting here on Monday.
The foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries in a statement ” highlighted the need to hold free and fair elections by this new date, allowing for a democratic and transparent electoral process under proper security conditions.”
They emphasised that stability and further progress on
the path towards democracy are amongst the most important
challenges facing Pakistan, and that the EU would continue to support the Pakistani people in addressing these challenges.
EU Commissioner for external relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner briefed the ministers on plans regarding the deployment of an EU electoral observation mission to Pakistan.
The Commissioner told reporters that 50 long-term observers were already in Pakistan and that she was thinking of sending a number of short-term observers but this depends on the security situation in the country.