By KUNA,
Brussels : EU Commissioner for external relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, sent Thursday a message of congratulations to the Maldivian people for “their strong commitment to the democratic process” following Tuesday’s presidential elections in the small Asian predominantly Muslim country.
“I am pleased to see that the elections and their immediate aftermath have been peaceful and orderly. At the same time I extend my warmest wishes to the newly elected president Mohamed Nasheed and look forward to work with him,” she said in a statement.
Ferrero-Waldner said the European Commission has provided strong support to the reform process of the Maldives, notably through assistance to the electoral process, and will continue to work with the Maldives in order to further strengthen democracy in the country.
Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom after 30 years in power has conceded defeat in the elections to opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed.