1. The European Union thanks the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights for its work in preparing and deploying an Election Observation Mission to Tajikistan ahead of the country‘s parliamentary elections.
2. It is regrettable that – despite a timely invitation - the relevant authorities failed to accredit OSCE/ODIHR election observers already in Dushanbe and did not provide formal assurances that the observers would receive the accreditation needed to carry out their work. Lack of the required accreditation has resulted in the cancellation of the mission, with significant practical and financial implications for ODIHR and for the participating States that seconded both long- and short-term observers to the mission.
3. All OSCE participating States have committed to inviting election observers from other OSCE participating States and have tasked ODIHR to play an enhanced role in election monitoring before, during, and after elections. The accreditation of OSCE/ODIHR observers is a fundamental part of the invitation to observe elections.
4. The lack of accreditation is inconsistent with the principles and commitments agreed upon within the OSCE framework and has denied Tajikistan‘s voters and institutions an impartial and independent assessment of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
5. The EU calls on Tajikistan to provide the necessary conditions for effective observation for future elections, as well as to engage constructively with ODIHR in following up to ODIHR‘s previous election recommendations, and in relation to ODIHR‘s support to all participating States in strengthening democracy and human rights. 
6. The EU will continue to fully support ODIHR’s mandate and autonomy and reiterates that election monitoring by the OSCE is a valuable tool for the promotion of democratisation and respect for human rights across our region. ODIHR’s election observation methodology is globally recognised and based on the principles of independence, impartiality and professionalism, as spelled out in the MC Decision 19/06, and is applied in the same way in all countries.
7. The EU remains open to a constructive dialogue with Tajikistan to further support democratic institutions and election transparency in the future.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, San Marino and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.