EU congratulates Hong Kong election winner
(BRUSSELS) - European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on MOnday congratulated the winner of Hong Kong's leadership election, Leung Chun-ying, and called for deeper relations with the city.
"Hong Kong is an important partner for the EU and shares values of openness, tolerance and respect for fundamental freedoms," she said in a statement.
"The European Union attaches great importance to Hong Kong's stability, economic prosperity and democratic development."
Leung, 57, garnered 689 votes from a 1,200-strong election committee on Sunday after the most divisive leadership vote that Hong Kong has seen since the 1997 British handover to China.
Ashton said the EU "supports substantial progress towards the goal of universal suffrage in 2017" in accordance to city's basic law and "the wishes of the people of Hong Kong".
"Let me extend to you my best wishes for the prosperity, stability and democratic development of Hong Kong and for the further deepening of EU and Hong Kong relations during your term in office."
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