EU pledges to help make Palestinian general elections a success

The spokesperson for the EU’s office in Jerusalem, Shadi Othman, told the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) that the Central Elections Commission’s (CEC) meeting with the EU on Monday complemented the ongoing bilateral contacts.

It also emphasized the EU’s role in support of the Palestinian cause in addition to providing it with political support for holding the elections, Othman explained.

He pointed out that both sides discussed all that the EU could provide during the next phase, especially international observers, as well as its intervention to facilitate access to East Jerusalem and Area C in the occupied West Bank.

There are agreements that determine the means and mechanisms of conducting these elections, with the participation of all parties, and enabling Palestinian citizens to vote in all Palestinian areas, Othman noted.

He stressed that political communications with all relevant parties will take place during the coming period to ensure the success of the electoral process.

On Monday, Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh called on the EU to send observers to elections, specifically requesting EU monitors in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

President Mahmoud Abbas signed last week a decree setting legislative elections for May 22 and a presidential vote on July 31, in what would be the first Palestinian polls in 15 years.

Head of the Palestinian CEC Hanna Nasser announced on Monday holding a meeting with EU representative in the Palestinian territories Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff in Ramallah.

The meeting tackled Israel’s potential obstacles to holding elections in Jerusalem, Nasser said, calling on the EU to pressure Israel in this regard.