Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on universal suffrage in Hong Kong

The European Union has consistently supported early progress towards universal suffrage in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law. We consider this to be in the best interests of both Hong Kong and China. We are therefore disappointed that the possibility of universal suffrage for 2012 elections has been ruled out, as the Hong Kong SAR Government had itself recognised in its report that the majority of Hong Kong's people were clearly in favour of this.

At the same time, we note positively Chief Executive Donald Tsang's statement that a timetable has now been set with a clear prospect of implementation of universal suffrage for the Chief Executive in 2017 and for the Legislative Council in 2020. The EU calls upon all the parties concerned to agree on constructive proposals for wider suffrage for the 2012 elections which will advance Hong Kong towards the completion of universal suffrage according to international standards, within this timetable.

The Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.

*Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.