Statement by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the Presidential Election in the Republic of Madagascar

TOKYO, Japan, January 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- 1. A new President was elected after the presidential elections in the Republic of Madagascar in a format that reflected the consensus of its citizens. Japan expresses its respect to the people of Madagascar, the country's interim government and the institutions concerned, for having overcome a political crisis over around five years. In addition, Japan extends its congratulations to Mr. Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who was elected to the new Presidency.

2. Japan conducted independent election monitoring activities in the first and second round of voting in the presidential elections as well as in the parliamentary election, which showed that all those votes were carried out in peace, with transparency, and in a free and fair manner. Japan also welcomes the fact that the Malagasy Independent National Electoral Commission of the Transition (CENI-T) and the Malagasy Special Electoral Court (CES) carried out their required tasks within the scheduled timetable and decided the final result of these presidential elections based on the constitution and the election law.

3. This result should be accepted by all parties concerned in Madagascar and the prompt and peaceful establishment of the constitutional order is strongly expected.

4. In order to support this progress, Japan is considering reopening new bilateral economic cooperation after the inauguration of the new government. It will support Madagascar to establish political stability and to achieve economic reconstruction under the new President, expecting that Madagascar will restore its rightful place in the international community.