The European Union has expressed concern that "according to a preliminary report of the international observation mission the presidential election in Armenia fell short of international standards." According to an EU Presidency statement, "the EU is also worried that in the course of the electoral race people, who did not use violence, were arrested. In spite of the fact that a significant part of them is already released, some are still under observation," - the document notes. On the other hand, the EU noted progress registered in comparison with the previous presidential election. According to the statement, it refers to the technical arrangement of the election and the presence of a large number of local and international observers. "The EU also notes a positive fact of attraction of wide social strata to the electoral process," - the document says. The European Union also welcomed the fact that "in spite of the tense political atmosphere, no serious violence had taken place in period between the first and second rounds of the presidential election." "The EU expects necessary changes to be introduced into the electoral process before the parliamentary election planned May 29 and calls the central electoral commission to fully and impartially execute its mission," - the document emphasizes. As reported by "Mediamax" agency, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Romania, Turkey, Island, Liechtenstein and Norway joined the EU Presidency statement.