EU, S. Africa praise Indonesia's democratic election
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The 25-member European Union (EU) and South Africa congratulated Indonesia on Wednesday for its peaceful first-ever direct presidential election and pledged to intensify relations with the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Bot, speaking as President of the European Union Council of Ministers, said he had followed with great interest the final round of Indonesia's presidential elections.
"Managing the election process, involving more than 500,000 polling stations and some 150 million registered voters, has been a formidable task," Bot said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta.
The Netherlands holds the chair of the world's most powerful regional grouping.
Bot expressed confidence the elections, which were held in a peaceful manner, would further support the country's democratization process.
The Sept. 20 vote was the first time Indonesians have directly elected their leader.
The General Election Commission (KPU) will announce the final result of the election on Oct. 5.
Bot said that the EU would continue to work closely with Indonesia.
"The European Union stands ready to intensify its relations and cooperation with Indonesia, which it considers an important strategic partner," he said.
The European Union has sent a 225-member election observation team to Indonesia to monitor the presidential election. The mission, led by chief observer Glyn Ford, will give its assessment of the final round of presidential election on Thursday in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, South Africa also hailed Indonesia on the conclusion of its peaceful first-ever-direct presidential election.
"What we have seen is that these elections have set a good example for the region and democracies of the world," the South African government said in a press statement, a copy of which was sent to the Post by its embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday.
"The elections are proof the people of the Republic of Indonesia are committed in reforming their country for the benefit of the nation," it said.