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Council of Europe welcomes election of new Moldovan president

The Moldovan parliament elected Timofti, 63, for president on Friday with 62 votes.

STRASBOURG, March 16 (Itar-Tass) —— The Council of Europe welcomes the election of the new Moldovan president after a three-year pause, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland said on Friday.

“Today marks an important milestone in the history of Moldova. I congratulate the political leaders for having found a compromise to elect the President, thus putting an end to the political crisis which has lasted for too long.

“I very much welcome Nicolae Timofti's aspiration to be a President for all Moldovans, irrespective of their political opinions.

“Now that the President is elected, it is time to fulfill the promises of economic and social reforms, to improve the rule of law and to ensure an efficient judiciary. The Council of Europe will continue to support Moldova with its reforms”, said Jagland.

The Moldovan parliament elected Timofti, 63, for president on Friday with 62 votes. No less than 61 votes were necessary to make the election valid. The opposition Party of Communists boycotted the parliament meeting.

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