Presidency Declaration on outcome of Somali Presidential elections

The European Union is pleased that the election of the President of the Federation of

Somalia has come to a successful conclusion on 10 October 2004 in Nairobi, Kenya. The election confirms the Somali commitment to overcome the political vacuum that lasted for more than a decade and to bring the Somali National Reconciliation Conference to a successful conclusion. The election of the President is a milestone in the peace and reconciliation process, paving the way for the establishment of a Transitional Federal Government.

The European Union congratulates the new Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed with his election. Furthermore, the European Union recognises the important role played by Somali leaders in the Transitional Federal Assembly in safeguarding the democratic principles of the election process.

The European Union will continue to support the peace and reconciliation process and the transition to a federal state in Somalia. Furthermore, the EU stands ready to assist a

Transitional Federal Government in accordance with the arrangements to be agreed between such a government and the international community.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

| Arriba |

• EU Presidency declaration on Somalia National Reconciliation Conference (31/8/2004)
• EU Presidency declaration on the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference (3/8/2004)
• EU Humanitarian aid to Uganda, Somalia and Angola  (19/3/2004)