23:50, 6 November 2003

There is "apparent lack of political will" in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, hold OSCE and CoE leaders

"Despite considerable pre-electoral assistance from the Council of Europe and OSCE, the elections held in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in 2003 did not meet international standards due to an apparent lack of political will in these countries." Secretary General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer, OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis, Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Chair Nicolae Dudau, and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced it in Chisinau, where they had a CoE/OSCE high-level meeting.

Participants declared that such a situation called for joint action by the Council of Europe, the OSCE and EU to advance both the capacity and the commitment for credible elections in these three member States. They also said that the continuation of unresolved conflicts in the South Caucasus region were detrimental to the completion of democratic transition, genuine regional cooperation, and further European integration. Hope was expressed that, with elections concluded, new opportunities will be seized upon to bring about lasting solutions.