EP - Resolution on Ukraine is a 'bombshell', says Yushchenko

The European Parliament ad hoc delegation which arrived in Ukraine on 2 December had meetings with President Leonid Kuchma, opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko and Volosymyr Lytvyn, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament.

The delegation leader, European Parliament Vice-President Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI (EPP-ED, PL), said afterwards: "The visit has put the EP at the forefront of the international community in searching for a contribution to a democratic solution of the dispute. The EP is there to defend key values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Ukraine is a crucial neighbour of the EU. It must follow democratic principles. The European Parliament delegation comes from various parties and many countries and the EU expects Ukraine to implement democratic principles in any re-run of the second round. "

Regarding their discussion with President Kuchma, Elmar BROK (EPP-ED, DE), also speaking on behalf of the delegation, said: "Kuchma tried to raise the spectre of civil war, secession of the East, the outbreak of violence and the collapse of the economy, unless the opposition is prepared to make concessions". He said the meeting with Mr Yushchenko had given greater grounds for optimism and added: "We remain extremely impressed by the democratic forces at work in Ukrainian society. They are determined to see justice prevail through the exercise of people power. Ultimately, those who perpetrated the electoral fraud on the people of Ukraine will be defeated".

Mr. YUSHCHENKO, referring to the resolution on Ukraine adopted on Thursday 1 December by the European Parliament, told MEPs that the EP resolution was a "bombshell" that "expressed the truth in a way not seen in writing from any other international organisation so far".

Thursday's resolution expresses solidarity with the Ukrainian people and stresses their right to choose their President in free, fair and transparent elections. It calls on the Ukrainian authorities to address the serious irregularities and apparent fraud that took place in the second round of the elections. It also calls for a re-run of this round as early as possible using an open and transparent electoral process. Parliament gives its backing to international efforts to reach a settlement and calls on all sides to work towards a peaceful resolution of the problem. It rejects all separatist tendencies and voices support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. To read the full resolution, click here.

The ad hoc delegation to Ukraine is chaired by Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI (EPP-ED, PL), Vice President of the European Parliament, and Elmar BROK (EPP-ED, DE), chair of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee. Other members of the delegation are: Marek SIEWIEC (PES, PL), chair of the EP delegation to Ukraine, Charles TANNOCK (EPP-ED, UK), Toomas ILVES (PES, EE), Grazyna STANISZEWSKA (ALDE, PL), Marielle de SARNEZ (ALDE, FR), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), Jiri MASTALKA (GUE/NGL, CZ) and Michal KAMINSKI (UEN, PL).

2-3 December 2004 EP ad-hoc delegation to Ukraine.

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• EUHR Solana's statement on the Presidential Elections in Ukraine (27/12/2004)
• EUHR Solana comments on decision by Supreme Court of Ukraine (3/12/2004)
• EP - Situation in Ukraine - elections (2/12/2004)
• Speech by Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner on the situation in the Ukraine at the EP (1/12/2004)
• EP - Elections in Ukraine (28/10/2004)