São Tomé and Príncipe: Statement by the Spokesperson on the presidential elections

The European Union welcomes the successful conduct of the second round of presidential elections held in São Tomé and Príncipe and wishes to congratulate President-elect Carlos Vila Nova. We will continue with him and his government the excellent bilateral cooperation initiated with his predecessors to enhance relations between the EU, São Tomé and Príncipe and our peoples.

The election observation mission led by the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States noted the peaceful and calm manner in which the elections took place, despite the delay and latent tensions following the results of the first round. We welcome this free and competitive electoral process which demonstrates the solidity of the democratic institutions and processes of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.