EU, S. Africa praise Indonesia's democratic election
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.