The European Union on Monday hailed the peaceful and orderly manner in which the recent legislative elections were held in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor, and noted that the polls demonstrated the vitality of the country's young democracy.
"The legislative elections on 7 July marked a further important milestone in Timor-Leste's impressive development in the last decade. In its short history since restoration of independence in 2002 Timor-Leste has made remarkable progress and provided an example to the international community of successful state-building," said a statement issued by the office of EU's Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton.
The statement praised the people of East Timor for their huge turnout at the polls as well as the national authorities, electoral management bodies and security forces for ensuring that the polling process was "peaceful, inclusive and transparent."
According to the statement, it was for the third time since 2001 that the EU sent an Election Observation Mission on an invitation by the East Timor's government. It added that the mission has since confirmed its "positive assessment" of the polls.
Welcoming increased women's representation in the new Parliament, the 27-member European bloc said it looked forward to a smooth formation of a new government after the announcement of the official results and to continuing its "excellent partnership with Timor-Leste under the new government."
Preliminary results from Saturday's polls indicated that Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's center-left National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) party has fallen short of the required majority to form a government of its own despite securing most number of seats.
Although final results are yet to be announced, provisional results have set the stage for negotiations aimed at the formation of a coalition government in Asia's youngest nation. Final results are expected by July 17, and a new administration formed by August 8.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com