MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

10.1.2005

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Jacek Emil Saryusz-Wolski and José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on Ukraine

B6‑0039/2005

European Parliament resolution on Ukraine

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its resolution of 20 November 2003 on 'Relations with our neighbours to the East and South',

– having regard to its resolutions of 28 October 2004 and 2 December 2004 on the previous rounds of the presidential elections in Ukraine,

– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, and Ukraine, which entered into force on 1 March 1998,

– having regard to European Council Common Strategy 1999/877/CFSP on Ukraine, adopted by the European Council in Helsinki on 11 December 1999,

– having regard to the Final Statement and Recommendations of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee of 16-17 February 2004,

– having regard to the Communication from the Commission of 12 May 2004 on the European Neighbourhood Policy (COM(2004) 373),

– having regard to the Joint Statement of the European Union-Ukraine Summit of 8 July 2004 in The Hague,

– having regard to the statements and the preliminary findings and conclusions of the international election observer mission in Ukraine on all rounds of the presidential election,

– having regard to the announcement of the provisional results of the presidential elections in Ukraine by the Central Electoral Commission,

– having regard to the decisions of the Supreme Court of Ukraine on the validity of the repeat of the runoff presidential elections on 26 December 2004,

– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Ukrainian society has strongly manifested its commitment to democracy, the rule of law and other values which are the basis of the European Union,

B. 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,

C.  whereas a broad consensus between the political forces has been reached and the internal political crisis resolved with full respect for democratic principles,

D.  whereas consolidation of democracy, the rule of law and a truly independent media in Ukraine can have a significant positive influence on the region of Central and Eastern Europe as well as on Russia and other post-Soviet states,

E.  whereas the EU has repeatedly stated its commitment to support Ukraine's democracy as well as reforms in Ukraine,

F.  whereas the EU has a significant interest in strengthening its political, economic, human and cultural ties with Ukraine,

G.  whereas Mr Yushchenko made accession to the EU for Ukraine a central component of his campaign for the election,

H. whereas the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) recognises Ukraine's European aspirations and the importance of Ukraine as a country with strong historical, cultural and economic links to the Member States of the EU, and whereas a genuine strategic partnership can only be developed on the basis of shared values with regard, in particular, to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights,   

1.  Welcomes the peaceful resolution of the political conflict in Ukraine, and the democratic verdict of free and fair elections of the President of Ukraine and supports the commitment of the Ukrainian nation to democracy and the European values of its choice;   

2. Congratulates the Ukrainian people and their vibrant civil society which in a non-violent and mature way through their institutions and according to their laws succeeded in resolving a political crisis and setting their country firmly on the path towards democracy and its assumption of its rightful place in the European community of democratic nations;

3. Welcomes the leading role played by the European Union, including the missions of the European Parliament, in a political compromise allowing the settlement of the crisis and a free and fair rerun of the elections;

4. Calls upon the new Ukrainian political leadership to consolidate Ukraine's espousal of common European values and objectives by taking further steps to promote democracy, civil society and the rule of law, by resuming the liberal market reforms and by overcoming the political divide in Ukraine;

5. Expresses its continuing solidarity with the Ukrainian people and civil society and underlines that the holding of free and fair elections paves the way for enhanced cooperation with Ukraine and the full use of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, which should respond to the new situation in Ukraine;

6.  Welcomes the Council's intention to organise an early EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council to ratify the EU-Ukraine Action Plan swiftly, and calls on the Commission and Council to revise and rapidly implement this plan and to enrich it with additional measures;

7. Calls on the Council and Commission to make offers additional to the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, including the organisation of a donors' conference for Ukraine equivalent to the donors' conference on 16-17 June 2004 for Georgia, and to consider visa facilitation for Ukraine, quick recognition of market economy status and support for Ukraine's joining the World Trade Organisation in order to further upgrade the relationship and to meet the expectations and hopes that have been raised by the European Union's close involvement in the peaceful Orange Revolution;

8. Calls on the Council, Commission and Member States to consider, besides these additional measures, other forms of enhanced integration with Ukraine, including the conclusion of an Association Agreement, thereby holding out a clear prospect of integration with the European Union to a country which is a direct neighbour with deep-rooted historical, cultural and economic links to the European Union, leading possibly in the end to the country's accession to the EU;

9.  Calls therefore on the Council and Commission to start preparing an Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine to enter into force immediately after completion of the bilateral Action Plan;

10. Calls on Ukraine to finalise as soon as possible its accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which would make it possible to establish an EU-Ukraine free trade area based on asymmetric opening of markets and further economic integration;

11. Calls on the Commission, Council and governments of EU Member States to support economic and administrative reforms in Ukraine through the relevant programmes and projects, including a substantial increase in financial assistance;

12. Calls on the Commission to develop cross-border cooperation with Ukraine using common financial instruments, in conjunction with the current EU Interreg programme;

13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Parliament, President and Government of Ukraine, the Parliamentary Assemblies of NATO and the OSCE, and the Council of Europe.