Motion for a resolution - B7-0127/2010Motion for a resolution
B7-0127/2010

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine

17.2.2010

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

Michał Tomasz Kamiński, Adam Bielan, Ryszard Czarnecki, Paweł Robert Kowal, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Konrad Szymański, Charles Tannock, Jacek Olgierd Kurski on behalf of the ECR Group

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

Procedure : 2010/2525(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0127/2010
Texts tabled :
B7-0127/2010
Debates :
Texts adopted :

B7‑0127/10

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Ukraine

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine,

–   having regard to the Statement and Recommendations of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, which met in October 2009,

 

–   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 (AA) designed to replace the PCA,

 

–   having regard to the EU-Ukraine Association Agenda, replacing the Action Plan, set up in June 2009,

 

–   having regard to the Joint Statement adopted at the EU-Ukraine summit which took place in Kyiv on 4 December 2009,

 

–   having regard to the agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on visa facilitation, signed on 18 June 2007, which entered into force on 1 January 2008,

 

–   having regard to the results of the Ukrainian presidential elections, in which the first round was held on 17 January and the second round on 7 February 2010,

 

–   having regard to the Eastern Partnership (EaP) launched in Prague in May 2009,

 

–   having regard to the statements made by the OSCE/ODHIR Observation Mission on the presidential elections of 17 January and 7 February 2010,

 

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

A. whereas Ukraine has strong historical, cultural and economic links to the European Union and whereas it is one of the EU's key strategic partners in its Eastern neighbourhood; whereas its integration with the EU can have a positive effect on the security, stability and prosperity of the whole continent,

B.  whereas Ukraine is a European state and, pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, may apply for membership of the EU like any European state that adheres to the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law,

C. whereas the International Election Observation Mission noted that the second round of the presidential elections in Ukraine confirmed the assessment of the first round that most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments had been met and that this election had consolidated progress achieved since 2004,

D. whereas Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) marks an important step in its acceptance of international and European economic standards and of enhanced trade links with the EU, speeding up the negotiations on the establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free-Trade Area (DCFTA) as an integral part of the AA,

E.  whereas it should be remembered that Ukraine is country that has experienced communism and Soviet domination and has come a long way to overcome the negative legacies these have left behind,

F.  whereas around 80% of Russian gas to the EU transits via Ukraine,

G. whereas the EaP can be successful and contribute to the peaceful development, stability and prosperity of all the Eastern neighbours only if it is based on concrete and credible projects and is sufficiently funded; whereas, given its size and geopolitical and strategic importance, Ukraine is considered a regional leader within the EaP,

1.  Welcomes the statement by the International Election Observation Mission that the second round of the presidential election in Ukraine confirmed the assessment of the first round that most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments had been met, that the candidates had been able to campaign freely in a competitive, yet polarised election environment, that the media had generally provided voters with an opportunity to make an informed choice and that, on election day, voting had been conducted in an orderly, professional and transparent manner across the country in a calm atmosphere;

2.  Welcomes the high voter turnout, which shows the active involvement of Ukrainian citizens in deciding the course of their country and is a commitment that Ukrainian politicians will have to live up to;

3.  Believes that Ukraine, like any functioning democracy, not only needs to focus on election day itself, but also requires a wider legal framework guaranteeing the transparency of the political process, including the financing of political parties and candidates;

4.  Acknowledges Ukraine’s European aspirations; believes that the door to Europe should be open and that the orderly elections are an important signal for European public opinion which makes it clear that today Ukraine is a normal European state that has the right to make its European choice;

5.  Highlights Ukraine's pivotal role in the European Union's energy security; underlines the importance of stepping up cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of energy and calls for further agreements between the EU and Ukraine aimed at securing energy supplies for both sides; underlines the importance of transparency in gas supply and transit systems; is concerned that the Nord Stream pipeline project undermines the principle of solidarity in the EU's energy security, is directly targeted at transit countries and is to be constructed to circumvent Ukraine;

6.  Underlines the fact that, although progress has been made, the existing visa facilitation agreement should be re-examined with long-term objectives in mind, and calls on the Council to mandate the Commission to revise this agreement with the Ukrainian authorities in order to work on a roadmap to visa-free travel for Ukraine;

7.  Calls on the Commission and the Council to reaffirm the EU's willingness to help Ukraine through the instruments proposed by the EaP and the EU-Ukraine Association Agenda; underlines the fact that the EaP should not hinder EU membership for neighbouring countries wishing to apply on the basis of Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union;

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Member States, and the Government and Parliament of Ukraine.