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UKRAINA SUURSAATKONNA
EESTI VABARIIGIS INFOLEHT
10.04.2006
Elections
in Ukraine
European Parliament resolution on the parliamentary elections in Ukraine
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous
resolutions on the political developments in Ukraine, in particular its
resolution of 13 January 2005 on the results of the Ukraine elections[1],
– having regard to its resolution of 19
January 2006 on the European Neighbourhood Policy[2],
– having regard to the EU-Ukraine Action
Plan, and the further measures decided upon by the Council in support of a
democratic and reform-oriented Ukraine,
– having regard to the OSCE preliminary
statement of 27 March 2006 on the Ukrainian elections,
– having regard to Rule 103(4) of its
Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Ukraine has clearly confirmed its
desire to be part of Europe and its willingness to be integrated with the
European Union on the basis of the EU’s fundamental principles and criteria,
B. whereas the International Election
Observation Mission of the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assemblies of
the Council of Europe, the OSCE and NATO and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
concluded that the 26 March 2006 parliamentary elections in Ukraine had been
free and fair and in accordance with international standards for democratic
elections,
C. whereas the media coverage during the
campaign was generally balanced, enabling parties to communicate their message
and voters to express their choice freely,
D. whereas it was concluded that the
elections had been administered in a democratic and transparent manner with
virtually no incidents, although problems in the staffing of polling stations
and an excessive number of voters at some polling stations caused a certain
degree of disorder on election day,
E. whereas the European Union, its Member
States and Ukraine have moved towards an ever closer relationship based on
shared respect for fundamental European values,
1. Welcomes the fact that the parliamentary
and local elections of 26 March 2006 were held in a satisfactory manner, fully
in accordance with international electoral standards, and that Ukraine is
firmly on the path towards becoming a mature democracy and assuming its
rightful place in a European community of democratic nations;
2. Takes note of the shortcomings of the
elections identified by the International Election Observation Mission and
calls upon the relevant Ukrainian authorities to take corrective action and to
ensure that such problems do not re-emerge in future elections;
3. Congratulates the people of Ukraine, who,
despite the sometimes difficult circumstances at the polling stations, have
demonstrated their commitment to the democratic process in their country;
4. Urges all members of the newly elected
Verkhovna Rada as well as the new Ukrainian Government to fully commit
themselves to the irreversibility of this democratic process and to
unreservedly continue, and strengthen, the political, social and economic
reforms;
5. Urges the Commission and Council to
respond promptly and concretely to the growing hopes of the Ukrainian people,
who are increasingly looking to the EU, and to consider a further strengthening
of the measures included in the European Neighbourhood Policy's Action Plan which
are designed to support the further democratic development of Ukraine, in
particular with regard to strengthening respect for the rule of law and the
continuation and strengthening of social and economic reforms; also urges the
Member States to undertake similar initiatives and projects to provide concrete
support, contributing to a continuation of the democratisation and reform
process in Ukraine;
6. Calls upon the new government formed after these elections to consolidate Ukraine’s espousal of common European values and objectives by taking further steps to promote democracy, human rights, civil society and the rule of law, by resuming market reforms and by overcoming the political divisions in Ukraine;
7. Urges the new Ukrainian Government to
continue to be a reliable partner of the European Union, with specific regard
to enhancing stability in the region, in particular in finding a solution to
the Trans-Dniester problem;
8. Appeals to all neighbouring countries to
fully respect the democratic choice of the Ukrainian people and to refrain from
any economic or other pressure to change the democratically decided further
political, social and economic development of the country;
9. Looks forward to a visa-facilitation
agreement between the EU and Ukraine with the final goal of a non-visa regime,
but, in the interim, calls on the Commission to fully respect the existing
agreements on free multiple-entry visas with seven Member States, as well as
other actions geared to realising Ukraine's European perspective; calls for
further action to move Ukraine towards full membership of the World Trade
Organisation;
10. Notes that the current Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and Ukraine[3] expires in 2008, and calls on the
Commission to begin to negotiate an Association Agreement;
11. Looks forward to increased cooperation with
the Verkhovna Rada and to a sustained transition process in Ukraine that will
bring the country closer to the objective of ever more intensive cooperation
with the European Union, and commits itself to assisting and supporting Ukraine
in this process;
12. Instructs its President to forward this
resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Government and Parliament of
Ukraine and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe, the OSCE and
NATO.