Ten embassies of the European countries and the USA, as well as the offices of the European Commission, Council of Europe and OSCE Mission in Moldova publicized on Tuesday, November 28 a joint statement as regards the upcoming Bashkan Elections in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia in southern Moldova. According to the statement, cited by Info-Prim Neo, the diplomatic missions welcome the public commitments made by the Government of Moldova and local authorities in Gagauzia that the December 3, 2006 elections and any possible run-off elections for Gagauz Governor (Bashkan) be held in a free, fair and transparent manner. “This election represents an important opportunity to demonstrate to all persons on the entire territory of Moldova and to the international community that Moldova respects and enforces the principles of autonomy, democracy, human rights and the rule of law”, the statement says. The foreign diplomats state that this election is a significant test case to prove that strong regional autonomy and development can exist within a democratic, sovereign, and territorially whole Republic of Moldova. The heads of missions call on the Government of Moldova, local authorities in Gagauzia, and the Gagauz Central Electoral Commission to fulfill the joint recommendations of the Council of Europe, the OSCE, international observers and local organizations. “We urge all authorities to ensure full respect for the law on elections of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia”, is said in the statement. According to the documents, candidates should be allowed to campaign and communicate with voters in an equal and unfettered manner. Candidates should respect the law and refrain from using administrative resources in promoting their campaigns. Voters should be allowed to express their will freely on the basis of informed choice, and we call upon authorities to ensure freedom of assembly and expression. Registered observers--international, local and candidate--should have unrestricted access to all balloting areas and vote-tallying procedures. “We support these efforts as a crucial step toward strengthening Moldovan democratic institutions and Gagauz regional autonomy”, the statement concludes. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Europe will be observing the elections and will be preparing a report on them. The declaration is signed by the embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Moldova, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and OSCE Mission to Moldova.