MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Ukraine

18.10.2010

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

Johannes Cornelis van Baalen, Adina-Ioana Vălean, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Kristiina Ojuland, Marielle De Sarnez on behalf of the ALDE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0571/2010

B7‑0571/2010

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Ukraine

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Ukraine,

- having regard to the Eastern Partnership launched in Prague in May 2009,

 

- having regard to the conclusions of the EU-Ukraine Summit held in Kiev on the 4th of December 2009, and preparations for the forthcoming EU-Ukraine Summit in Brussels on the 22sn of November 2010,

 

- having regard to the Statement and Recommendations of the European Union-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, which took place in March 2010,

 

- having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the European Union and Ukraine, which entered into force on the 1st of March 1998, and to the ongoing negotiations of the Association Agreement (AA) designed to replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA),

 

- having regard to the EU-Ukraine Association Agenda, and its priorities for 2010,

 

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

 

–   having regard to the new law on local elections adopted by Verkhovna Rada in July 2010,

 

- having regard to the Ukraine Constitutional Court's ruling on 1 October 2010 annulling of the 2004 constitutional reforms and re-establishing the presidential powers,

 

- having regard the forthcoming local election in Ukraine on 31 October 2010,

 

- having regard to Rule 110 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

 

A. whereas the European Parliament remains fully committed to further deepening and developing the relations between the European Union and Ukraine, in the framework of the Eastern Partnership, which does not exclude a future perspective of full EU membership, in line with the stipulations of article 49 of the Treaty on European Union,

 

B. whereas the presidential elections that took place on 17 January and 7 February 2010 were mostly in line with international standards, whereas the forthcoming local elections taking place on 31 October 2010 should further strengthen Ukraine's democratic credentials,

 

C. whereas the European Union favours a Ukraine that strives to implement in practice principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights; whereas the Ukrainian authorities should demonstrate unwavering commitment in upholding these principles in order to achieve greater political stability in the country,

 

D. whereas the negotiations on the establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) are offering an opportunity to further enhance the potential of EU - Ukraine economic relations,

 

E. whereas the accession of Ukraine to the Energy Community Treaty is of great importance for all parties,

 

F. whereas Ukraine Constitutional Court's ruling on 1 October 2010 re-establishes presidential system of governance; whereas the establishment of democratic, effective and durable system of checks and balances should remain a priority and the process for achieving this should be open, inclusive and accessible to all political parties and actors in Ukraine,

 

G. whereas Ukraine's domestic political stability and focus on internal reform is a prerequisite for the further development of relations between the EU and Ukraine; whereas Eastern Partnership shall benefit from the commitment of Ukrainian authorities to work in order to fulfil its objectives under the four thematic platforms,

 

H. whereas the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine should serve as an instrument of the reform process and give a stronger role to civil society,

 

1.  Recognises that Ukraine, as a European country, shares a common history and common values with the countries of the European Union, and acknowledges Ukraine's European aspirations; Supports the further strengthening of EU-Ukraine relations and expects greater progress in the implementation of the reform agenda in Ukraine with a view to bringing Ukraine closer to the European Union;

 

2.  Welcomes the continuing cooperation between the EU and Ukraine across a comprehensive range of sectors; acknowledges the importance of the Standby Arrangement agreed with the IMF, which the EU is complementing and supporting through macro financial assistance, expects its full implementation in the interests of economic stability;

 

3.  Welcomes the adoption of the law on the functioning of the gas market as well as Ukraine's steps to finalise the process of Accession to the Energy Community and implementation of the necessary reforms for the modernisation of Ukraine's energy sector; expects the Commission to provide the additional support for the full modernisation of the energy sector in Ukraine;

 

4.  Stresses the need for political and economic stabilisation, notably through an inclusive constitutional reform process, consolidation of the rule of law, and renewed efforts to combat corruption and to improve the business and investment climate;

 

5.  Endorses the EU-Ukraine Association Agenda priorities for 2010 and expects a genuine progress in the fields of combating corruption, independence of judiciary and greater political dialogue;

 

6.  Acknowledges the ruling of the Ukraine's Constitutional Court and regrets that the necessary Constitutional reform was implemented without an inclusive political process that took into account the views of all parties, including the opposition;

 

7.  Regrets that election rules remain an ongoing subject of discussion and points out that the existing election law, as amended in August 2009, is regarded by OSCE/ODHIR as a backward step compared to previous legislation, resulting in unclear and incomplete legal framework; therefore encourages the Ukrainian authorities to review and complete the electoral legislation in a process where the opposition is involved;

 

8.  Stresses that the local elections of 31 October 2010 are important for Ukraine and their conduct should demonstrate that Ukraine continue the progress of organising elections in line with international standards; underlines that conduct of these elections will be a test for the current government;

9.  Expresses its concern over reports that the Law on Local Elections limits the possibility to get elected for a number of newly established parties, while creating advantages for incumbent parties;

 

10.  Stresses the importance of independent media and calls for thorough independent investigation and evaluation in order to clarify reports of close ties between the authorities and the managements of media outlets, the stifling of investigative journalism by media executives and physical threats against independent journalists;

 

11.  Calls on the Commission and the Council to further advance preparations of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) while taking into consideration the need to enhance economic relations; underlines that finalisation of DCFTA before the EU-Ukraine summit in November 2010 is not an aim in itself and therefore should take into account developments in Ukraine and its commitments for democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights;

 

12.  Calls on the Commission and the Council to reaffirm the EU's willingness to help Ukraine in the implementation of its commitments through the instruments proposed by the Eastern Partnership and the EU-Ukraine Association Agenda;

 

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