Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Presidential Runoff Election in Ukraine

November 24, 2004

The Government of Japan, which has been working on the Government of Ukraine to conduct, in a democratic manner, the presidential runoff election held in Ukraine on November 21 (Sun), strongly hopes that the Government of Ukraine will solve the concern of the international community that the recent election did not fulfill democratic standards and secure democratic rules.
Although protesters are currently rallying in the capital Kyiv and other places in the country over the election result announced by the Central Election Commission, the Government of Japan urges the parties concerned to exercise self-restraint and remain calm.

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