Statement by EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Stefan Füle on elections in Morocco

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, November 28, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, and Stefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and

European Neighbourhood Policy, made today the following statement: “Friday's parliamentary elections are an important step in the on-going process of democratic reform in Morocco initiated by the King to respond to the demands and

aspirations of the Moroccan people. We welcome the fact that they took place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere with an increased voter turn-out and on the basis of an

improved electoral framework following recent constitutional reforms.

The newly elected Parliament and future government now face the important challenge of taking forward political, economic and social reforms. We continue to encourage the swift and effective implementation of these comprehensive reforms. Moroccan citizens

should remain at the centre of this process.

In line with the objectives of the Advanced Status with the EU and the European Neighbourhood Policy, the European Union will continue to fully support Morocco's

efforts to implement an ambitious reform agenda."