MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

3.4.2006

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Rebecca Harms and Milan Horáček
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on the parliamentary elections in Ukraine

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B6-0235/2006

B6‑0247/2006

European Parliament resolution on the parliamentary elections in Ukraine

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine, in particular that of 13 January 2005,

– having regard to its resolution of 19 January 2006 on the European Neighbourhood Policy,

–  having regard to the preliminary statement and conclusions of 27 March 2006 issued by the International Election Observation Mission on the conduct of the 2006 parliamentary elections in Ukraine,

–  having regard to the Action Plan for Ukraine and the further measures agreed on by the Council in support of a democratic and reform-oriented Ukraine,

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

A.  whereas the International Election Observation Mission organised by the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe, the OSCE and NATO and the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission concluded that the 26 March 2006 parliamentary elections in Ukraine were essentially conducted in line with OSCE and Council of Europe requirements and other international standards for democratic elections,

B.  whereas according to the conclusions fundamental civil and political rights were respected in overall terms, with inclusive candidate registration, genuine competition and equal conditions,

C.  whereas election day ran smoothly, with no major incidents apart from overcrowding and long queues at some polling stations, mainly as a result of the simultaneous holding of parliamentary and local elections,

D.  whereas media coverage during the campaign was generally balanced, enabling parties to put across their message and voters to express their choices freely,

E.  whereas the new government will have to take decisive steps to carry out the reforms needed to enable Ukraine to implement the Action Plan and strengthen and deepen its relations with the European Union,

F.  whereas at the same time the Council and the Commission must pave the way and provide and step up financial, technical and political assistance to Ukraine so as to make increased cooperation effective and successful,

1.  Welcomes the way in which the parliamentary elections were held as the free, sovereign and democratic expression of the will of the Ukrainian people, confirming the commitments given on 26 December 2004 when the mass demonstrations held by the Ukrainian democracy movement secured a re-run of the presidential elections, following widespread fraud and irregularities;

2.  Takes the view that the successful conduct of these elections is one of the major achievements of the 'Orange Revolution' which paved the way for the consolidation of democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law in Ukraine;

3.  Urges all members of the newly elected Verkhovna Rada and the new Ukrainian Government to commit themselves fully to the irreversibility of this democratic process and to continue and strengthen without hesitation the political, social and economic reforms;

4.  Urges the Commission and Council to respond promptly and concretely to the growing hopes of the Ukrainian people, who are increasingly looking towards the EU, and to consider a further strengthening of the measures included in the European Neighborhood Policy's Action Plan aimed at supporting the further democratic development of Ukraine;

5.  Takes the view, in this respect, that the negotiation of a new agreement to replace the old Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which is about to expire and is no longer consistent with Ukraine's European aspirations is now an urgent priority with a view to developing other forms of association which offer the country the prospect of closer links with Europe, possibly leading ultimately to accession to the EU;

6.  Appeals to all neighbouring countries fully to respect the democratic choice of the Ukrainian people and to refrain from exerting any economic or other pressure to change the democratic decision to continue the political, social and economic development of the country;

7.  Looks forward to a sustained transition process in Ukraine that will bring the country further towards the objective of ever more intensive and developing cooperation with the European Union, and commits itself to assisting and supporting Ukraine in this process;

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