The European Union Special Representative and Head of Delegation to Afghanistan, Ambassador Usackas welcomes the announcement of 2014 Presidential Elections date.
Today, the Chairperson of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) Fazal Ahmad Manawi announced in a press conference that the next Presidential Elections will be held on 5 April 2014.
The EUSR/HoD Ambassador Usackas welcomes this decision saying "this demonstrates that the Afghan authorities are fulfilling their duties in accordance with the Constitution and with their political commitments stemming from the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework."
The EU is supportive of inclusive and transparent elections with a legitimate outcome. "This, in fact, is an enabling factor for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan," added Vygaudas Usackas.
The EU has been involved with election assistance and monitoring in Afghanistan since the first Presidential election in 2004.
Current Afghan president Hamid Karzai, who is serving his second term, is constitutionally barred from running in the election.