The European Union takes note of the reform of the electoral law adopted by the National Assembly of Nicaragua on 4 May and on the appointment of the new magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Council.

Unfortunately, both fall short of the recommendations of the 2011 EU Electoral Observation Mission and the recent resolutions by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and by the Human Rights Council. These decisions are not the result of the dialogue between the government and the opposition groups, which the EU has repeatedly called for. They constitute another step away from an inclusive, democratic and peaceful solution to the ongoing political crisis in Nicaragua.

The EU will continue to pursue a policy of constructive and critical engagement with the Nicaraguan authorities and use all its relevant instruments to support the rule of law and credible, inclusive and transparent elections in November this year.