Jun 27, 2009, 8:04 GMT
Trieste, Italy - The Afghan government must run a free and fair presidential election in August, G8 foreign ministers said at a meeting in the Italian port of Trieste Saturday.
The foreign ministers of the eight leading industrialised nations 'emphasized the need for the presidential decree on non-interference of state institutions to be scrupulously applied such that the equal rights of all candidates to participate fully in the process are not impeded,' according to a joint statement.
At the same time, the group 'affirmed the impartiality of its members regarding the outcome of the elections, and stressed its utmost commitment to the credibility and transparency of the process.'
G8 members are eager to stabilize Afghanistan and Pakistan, where local and international forces are locked in an increasingly bloody battle against Taliban-linked militants.
Diplomats say that Afghanistan's August 20 election will be a crucial part of that fight, arguing that a free and transparent vote will help convince Afghan citizens that they have a stake in their country's government.
'Only credible, secure, and inclusive elections can produce legitimate leadership for the country,' the joint statement pointed out.
The European Union is to send a team of observers to the poll. The statement 'encouraged other groups, national and international, to also observe the election process.'
The meeting of the G8 - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States - opened on Thursday and was set to close on Saturday.
The meeting also involved officials from China, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and international organizations such as the EU and the United Nations.
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