The statement of EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell about the elections in Syria and the allegedly undemocratic nature of the vote is a step away from the settlement and political stabilization in the country, said the chairman of the State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs Leonid Slutsky.
The EU believes that the May 26 Syrian presidential election undermines efforts to find a sustainable solution to the conflict in the country, Borrell said in a statement issued Thursday. It claims that the election "did not meet any of the criteria of a genuinely democratic vote, nor did it contribute to the resolution of the conflict."
"Josep Borrell's statement on the elections in Syria is a step away from a Syrian settlement, political stabilization in the country and the fight against international terrorism. Allegations about the undemocratic nature of the vote are untrue. Russian observers did not register any serious violations that could affect the legitimacy of the results of the electoral process," Slutsky said.
According to the deputy, Russian observers confirmed that every Syrian had the opportunity to vote, and the organization of the elections "fully complied with all international norms." "Such assessments from the EU are a continuation of the line of interference in internal affairs and regime change, as opposed to the will of the Syrians themselves. Only the people of Syria can decide who should be its president," Slutsky stressed.
There were three candidates competing for the post of the head of state: acting President Bashar al-Assad, former Socialist-Junist MP Abdallah Salloum Abdallah and Mahmoud Ahmed Mourayi of the patriotic opposition. The presidential term is seven years.
In the 2014 elections, which were also held on an alternative basis, Bashar al-Assad won; the Syrian leader was supported by 88.7% of citizens who took part in the vote. Al-Assad is the Secretary-General of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, which has been in power in Damascus since 1963.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS