BRUSSELS: The European Union on Monday offered to send observers to Pakistan’s historic elections in May in a bid to ensure a “peaceful, credible” vote that will be “acceptable” to all.

“The EU looks forward to upcoming elections that are peaceful, credible, transparent, inclusive and acceptable to the Pakistani people,” EU foreign ministers said in a statement released after talks.

The 27-nation bloc “is ready to assist by deploying an election observation mission, as a tangible sign of our support for the democratic process,” the statement added.

The polls would enable the transition of power from one elected government to another, marking the first time a democratically elected government would have seen out a full term in the country.

The EU ministers also said they looked forward to re-energising ties with the next government and hoped quick contacts could lead to a third EU-Pakistan summit.

They recalled that the EU had given Pakistan better market access to help it overcome economic problems linked to natural disasters, and welcomed Pakistan's “constructive role in promoting a secure Afghanistan and supporting an Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process.”