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 Jiří Maštálka and Helmuth Markov
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Ukraine

B6‑0061/2005

European Parliament resolution on Ukraine

The European Parliament,

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

– 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 Communication from the Commission of 12 May 2004 on the European Neighbourhood Policy (COM(2004)0373) as well at its resolution of 20 November 2003 on ‘Relations with our neighbours to the East and South’,

– 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 on the final results of the presidential elections in Ukraine by the Central Electoral Commission,

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

A. whereas, according to the election observers and the head of the Ukraine’s Central Election Committee, the election of 26 December 2004 was conducted in a peaceful and well‑ordered fashion with minimal irregularities and those problems that were reported did not affect the validity and overall outcome of the elections; whereas the result of the election reflects the democratic choice of the people of Ukraine,

1. Welcomes the fair elections held on 26 December 2004 and expresses satisfaction that the right of the Ukrainian people to freely elect their President has been recognised and implemented;

2.  Congratulates Viktor Yushchenko on his election victory in the presidential run-off on 26 December 2004; calls on the President rapidly to form a new administration to end the political stalemate which has paralysed the country for many months;

3. Is concerned about the deep divisions within Ukraine and the splits along cultural and regional lines affecting the unity of the country, and calls on all political leaders to make efforts to heal those rifts; expresses its commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine;

4.  Takes the view that Ukraine, by virtue of its size, geographical location and deep historical, cultural, economic and other links to Central and Western Europe, as well as to Russia, must be given a particularly important role in the context of the EU’s Wider Europe – Neighbourhood policy; underlines the importance of fruitful relations of Ukraine with all its neighbours;

5.  Takes note of Ukraine’s desire for EU integration; welcomes the Council’s intention to organise an early EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council to swiftly launch the EU-Ukraine Action Plan; calls on the Commission and the Council to engage in the rapid implementation of this plan and to include new measures aimed at strengthening the role of civil society;

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