BRUSSELS, Saturday, January 16, 2021 (WAFA) - The European Union spokesperson Peter Stano welcomed in a statement the launching of the preparations for Palestinian elections, calling on the Israeli authorities to facilitate the holding of elections across all the Palestinian territory.
  
"This is a welcome development as participative, representative and accountable democratic institutions are key for Palestinian self-determination and state-building," said the statement.

"The EU has in the past years consistently supported and funded the work of the Central Elections Commission in order to prepare for holding free, fair, and inclusive elections for all Palestinians," added the statement.

The EU further affirmed its readiness to engage with relevant actors to support the electoral process.

On Friday, President Mahmoud Abbas enacted a decree-law on holding legislative, presidential, and National Council elections in the coming months starting with legislative elections on 22 May.

T.R.