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Sat, May 26 2012
Ukraine: political and economic stabilisation needed, MEPs say
Ukraine’s president Viktor Yanukovych, his hand on the Bible and the constitution, takes the oath of office during his inauguration ceremony at the parliament hall in Kyiv, February 25 2010.
The main post-presidential election challenge for Ukraine's politicians and authorities is to stabilise the country politically and economically by reforming its constitution and establishing a social market economy, the European Parliament said in a resolution.
In the resolution, approved on February 25 2010, MEPs welcomed the fact that the presidential election met most free and fair election standards, with a range of candidates offering alternative political views.
Political and economic stabilisation in Ukraine entails constitutional reform, consolidating the rule of law, involving minorities in the political process, establishing a social market economy and combating corruption, the resolution said.
MEPs gave a positive assessment of the way in which the elections were conducted, but nonetheless regretted the adoption by the Ukrainian parliament of highly-controversial amendments to the presidential electoral law, proposed by the Party of Regions just a few days before the second round.
The country's electoral legislation should be reviewed and more transparency in the financing of candidates and political parties is needed, the resolution said.
The European Parliament said that it acknowledges Ukraine's European aspirations, noting that it "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".
MEPs called for further EU-Ukraine agreements to secure energy supplies, including a reliable transit system for oil and gas.
They also called on Ukraine to ratify its accession to the Energy Community Treaty and to adopt a new gas law in compliance with the EU directive on common rules for the internal market in natural gas.
The European Council should mandate the European Commission to revise the existing visa facilitation agreement with Ukraine in order to work on a roadmap towards visa-free travel for Ukraine, including the intermediate aim of abolishing existing visa fees, the resolution said.
In the resolution, approved on February 25 2010, MEPs welcomed the fact that the presidential election met most free and fair election standards, with a range of candidates offering alternative political views.
Political and economic stabilisation in Ukraine entails constitutional reform, consolidating the rule of law, involving minorities in the political process, establishing a social market economy and combating corruption, the resolution said.
MEPs gave a positive assessment of the way in which the elections were conducted, but nonetheless regretted the adoption by the Ukrainian parliament of highly-controversial amendments to the presidential electoral law, proposed by the Party of Regions just a few days before the second round.
The country's electoral legislation should be reviewed and more transparency in the financing of candidates and political parties is needed, the resolution said.
The European Parliament said that it acknowledges Ukraine's European aspirations, noting that it "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".
MEPs called for further EU-Ukraine agreements to secure energy supplies, including a reliable transit system for oil and gas.
They also called on Ukraine to ratify its accession to the Energy Community Treaty and to adopt a new gas law in compliance with the EU directive on common rules for the internal market in natural gas.
The European Council should mandate the European Commission to revise the existing visa facilitation agreement with Ukraine in order to work on a roadmap towards visa-free travel for Ukraine, including the intermediate aim of abolishing existing visa fees, the resolution said.
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The Sofia Echo
It is good to hear that each positive action taken by the new leadership in Ukraine is received in positive actions and suggestions by the EU. However, with all the potential within the youth population of Ukraine, it seems there is no mention of what synthesizes the multicultural youth cultures of Ukraine. Liberty, freedom, democracy and basic rights under rule of law are not meant to be handed down. Each generation must construct its own social and cultural developmental context for the exercise of democracy. Education for freedom is not a catch phrase, it is the internal tensions and paradoxes [...]
Read the full comment of the 21st century being assimilated and accomodated into the hearts and minds of each Ukrainian citizen, but especially their youth. A new era is within the reach and multiple realities of the diverse citizenry of your wonderful country. Re-construct it with love and peaceful harmony. And be not constrained in your new, emerging identities as leaders with authentic concerns at home and abroad.