Motion for a resolution - B7-0117/2010Motion for a resolution
B7-0117/2010

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine

16.2.2010

to wind up the debate on the statement by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Adrian Severin, Kristian Vigenin, Marek Siwiec, Barbara Weiler on behalf of the S&D Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0116/2010

Procedure : 2010/2525(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0117/2010
Texts tabled :
B7-0117/2010
Debates :
Texts adopted :

B7‑0117/2010

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Ukraine

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine,

–   having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI),

–   having regard to the Joint Declaration of the Prague Eastern Partnership Summit of 7 May 2009,

–   having regard to the EU-Ukraine Association Agenda of 8 June 2009, replacing the EU-Ukraine Action Plan,

–   having regard to the statement by the Swedish Presidency of the EU on the outcome of the EU-Ukraine summit which took place on 4 December 2009,

–   having regard to the OSCE statements of 17 January and 7 February 2010 on the outcome of the Presidential elections,

–   having regard to the statement by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, on the Ukrainian presidential elections on 8 February 2010,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. 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 first and second rounds of the Presidential elections held on 17 January and 7 February 2010 had been relatively free and fair and had been held in accordance with international standards for democratic elections,

B.  whereas the Presidential elections showed significant progress and improvements over previous elections, in particular with reference to respect for civil and political rights, including freedom of assembly, association and expression,

C. whereas although nongovernmental organisations were not permitted officially to observe the elections, the presence of domestic and international observers significantly increased transparency during the electoral process and voting day,

D. whereas Ukraine is willing to be integrated with the European Union on the basis of the EU's fundamental principles and criteria, and these elections proved to be a step forward in this direction,

E.  whereas the European Union, its Member States and Ukraine recognise the importance of closer cooperation based on mutual respect and fundamental European values,

1.  Welcomes the fact that the Presidential elections were held in a satisfactory manner, in accordance with international electoral standards, and considers 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.  Congratulates the people of Ukraine on having voted in large numbers and freely expressed their will, thus showing a great desire to participate and decide on the course to be taken by their country; notes that the diverse field of candidates representing alternative political views during the Presidential elections offered a genuine choice to the people of Ukraine;

3.  Takes note of the shortcomings of the elections identified by the International Election Observation Mission; calls upon the relevant authorities in Ukraine to adopt a clear election code which will be implemented in good faith and in a non-restrictive manner; encourages more transparent campaign financing during pre-election periods in order to avoid the misuse of administrative resources for personal gain; calls upon the Central Election Commission to address complaints lodged by the candidates in a transparent manner and to provide effective remedies with formal decisions;

4.  Notes that women were well represented in leadership positions in the election administration; encourages continued respect for equal rights and opportunities in future elections in line with the fundamental principles and values of European democratic countries;

5.  Notes that Ukraine has ratified the Council of Europe 'Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities' and the 'European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages' but appeals to the Ukrainian authorities to make a greater effort to reach out to minority communities in Ukraine by producing campaign materials in minority languages and to involve these communities more fully in any political development in the country;

6.  Takes note of the significant improvements with regard to freedom of expression and a pluralistic media environment in Ukraine, which offered voters significant information about the leading presidential candidates and their electoral programmes; calls for a revision of the electoral law to ensure fairer and more equal access to the media for all candidates participating in elections in the future;

7.  Urges the newly elected President to continue to be a reliable partner of the European Union, with specific regard to enhancing stability in the region; encourages the President to remain fully committed to the irreversibility of the democratic process and to unreservedly continue, and strengthen, the political, social and economic reforms in Ukraine; believes that cooperation between the President and Prime Minister of Ukraine is vital to attain the above-mentioned goals and to promote political and economic stability in the country;

8.  Hopes that the outcome of these elections will lead to a deeper political commitment to strengthen the political dialogue and to carry out the much needed constitutional reforms in Ukraine in order to ensure stable, functioning governance of the country;

9.  Endorses Ukraine's active participation in the Eastern Partnership and the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and its commitment to consolidate its efforts to ensure greater democracy and respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as its commitment to the market economy, sustainable development and good governance; urges the Council and the Commission to maintain the hopes of the Ukrainian people, who are increasingly looking to the EU, by offering further concrete steps towards greater political, economic and social integration into the European family and therefore encourages the Commission to continue and accelerate the negotiations on the Association Agreement with Ukraine, including a comprehensive Free Trade Area as an integral part thereof made possible by Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organisation;

10. 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 democratic will of, and decisions taken by, Ukraine concerning its political, social and economic development;

11. Believes that the dialogue between the EU and Ukraine on visas has intensified and there is a stronger political will to reach the final goal of a visa-free regime; supports the initiative of the EU-Ukraine PCC to set up a working group on visa facilitation, with a view to contributing to the ongoing negotiations on the visa facilitation agreement by making proposals which assuage any remaining concerns on both sides; strongly believes that the entry into force of the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreement would be another big step forward for Ukraine's European aspirations;

12. Notes that Ukraine has made significant progress in meeting its payment commitments to Russia for gas purchases and in avoiding threatening the transit of gas supplies to different European countries that depend on Russian natural gas transported through Ukraine; continues to encourage Ukraine to modernise its gas sector to ensure that the network continues to function efficiently, reliably and transparently in the future; calls on the Commission to continue to assist and cooperate with Ukraine to reform the Ukrainian gas sector and to bring it into line with the EU’s internal energy market;

13. Welcomes the policy of improved relations with Russia and appeals to the authorities of Ukraine to avoid in the future making the bilateral gas agreement with Russia a subject of confrontation and instead seek to negotiate and agree with Russia a deal which would benefit both sides, and calls on Ukraine to ensure continuous transit of gas supplies to Europe;

14. 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.