MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Ukraine
23.11.2010
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Jaromír Kohlíček on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0650/2010
B7‑0672/2010
European Parliament resolution on Ukraine
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine,
– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the European Union and Ukraine, which entered into force on 1 March 1998, and to the ongoing negotiations on the Association Agreement designed to replace the PCA,
– having regard to the list of priority action for 2010, jointly agreed by Ukraine and the EU,
– having regard to the results of the second round of Presidential elections in Ukraine held in February 2010,
– having regards to the Resolution 1755 (2010) of the Council of Europe on ‘The functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine’ adopted on 5 October 2010,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas by virtue of its size, geographical location and historical, cultural, economic and other ties to Central and Western Europe, Ukraine is an important partner for the EU and a key regional actor,
B. whereas the country for many years suffered from political instability, corruption, a privatisation which resulted in oligarchic economic structures, problems of energy supply and transfer to Europe caused by a anti-Russian policy of the former governments, social problems and dissatisfaction of Ukrainian citizens with their political rulers,
C. whereas Ukraine was badly hit by the global economic crisis due to the country’s heavy dependency on its metallurgic industry and the great vulnerability if its banking and energy sector; whereas Ukraine became deeply dependent on the IMF loan to avoid bankruptcy amid a recession and to maintain payments for the transit of Russian gas to Europe; whereas the economic crisis and the conditions imposed by IMF resulted in a drop in real wages and rising unemployment, a rise in the gas rise for domestic consumers and other serious social problems,
D. whereas the new government of Ukraine has clearly marked its two foreign policy objectives: pursuit of closer relations with the EU and improvement of relations with Russia,
E. whereas the steps taken by the new Ukrainian government in order to improve the relations with Russia and new agreements between the two countries in different areas of cooperation, such as energy, aviation, cultural and educational spheres, contributed to overcome the difficult economic situation,
F. whereas there is consensus in the Ukrainian society on the need for the deepening of the relations with the EU; whereas the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and the EU on the Association Agreement and the visa liberalisation have no chance to succeed in short-term and to bring to the people of both sides real benefits,
G. whereas the recently adopted electoral law, constitutional changes, and the new legislation on NGOs and growing complaints of journalists about restrictions of freedom of expression imposed by editors and/or owners of the media caused international concerns about the development of democracy in Ukraine,
1. Notes the Ukrainian people’s European aspirations and reaffirms its readiness to establish a long-term partnership, including a European perspective for Ukraine;
2. Stresses that there is no contradiction between European aspirations and the continuation of mutually advantageous relations with Russia; underlines that stability and cooperation on the whole continent would benefit from stable relations between Ukraine and Russia;
3. Appeals to the EU and 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 decision on the further political, social and economic development of the country;
4. Takes the view that ending the competition between the EU and Russia on the common neighbourhood and the establishment of a sustainable and comprehensive partnership between the EU would contribute to the solution of many problems and conflicts in the region and would give to the cooperation with the countries of the Eastern Partnership the necessary impetus;
5. Considers that political stability is an essential condition for the consolidation of democracy in Ukraine: welcomes the progress achieved so far, but underlines that lasting political stability can only be ensured is through constitutional changes that establish a clear separation of powers, as well as a proper system of checks and balances between and within the executive, legislative and judicial branches of power;
6. Deplores that the negotiations between the EU and Ukraine did not result so far in real benefits for the people of the two sides; takes the view that issues such a further visa liberalisation, in particular waiving visa fees, short-term projects in infrastructure, health, energy efficiency, education and environment could give to the partnership the needed impetus; highlights the importance of improving the transport connection between the EU and Ukraine as well as the safety and security standards in this sector; recommends further harmonisation of technical standards;
7. Highlights the importance of civil society for Ukraine’s democratic development and therefore asks the authorities to speed up the adoption of a new law on civic organisations with a view to addressing the deficiencies noted in the current legal framework for non-governmental organisations;
8. Welcomes the priority given by the new president to the fight against corruption: regrets the decision of the Verkhovna Rada to postpone, until 2011, the entry into force of the package of anti-corruption laws that were developed with the assistance of the Council of Europe, as well as the vetoing by the former President of the anti-money laundering law: the President and Parliament to ensure that the package of anti-corruption laws is now enacted without further delay and that all the recommendations made by the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) in its joint first and second round evaluation report are now promptly implemented;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliament and government of Ukraine and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe.