Brussels, October 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The European Union says that the final assessment of the recent parliamentary election in Ukraine will also depend on the post-electoral developments and stresses that the bilateral cooperation remains based on respect for common values.
This is said in a joint statement on the parliamentary election in
Ukraine by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton
and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy
Stefan Fule, which became available to Interfax-Ukraine in Brussels on
Monday.
The EU officials said they had taken full note of the international
observation mission’s preliminary findings on the conduct of the
election which presents a mixed picture with several shortcomings, and
of the difficulties faced by local electoral observers. “Vote counting
is not yet fully completed,” the statement reads. “The final assessment
will also depend on the post-electoral developments, which we will watch
closely. It is therefore particularly important that the Ukrainian
authorities ensure a proper conduct in the coming stages of the
electoral process, notably as regards the remaining vote count,
tabulation of results and following up on possible electoral
complaints.”
The EU officials also said that they expect that “the future
Verkhovna Rada will fully reflect the will of the Ukrainian voters, as
expressed during Sunday’s elections.” “Our engagement with Ukraine
towards political association and economic integration remains based on
its respect for our common values. We are committed to continue to work
towards using the full potential of our relations for the benefit of the
citizens of Ukraine and the EU,” the statement reads.
Ashton and Fule reiterated their regret that the consequences of
trials that did not respect international standards have prevented
opposition representatives from standing in the parliamentary election,
and called on the Ukrainian authorities to address this matter and take
further steps to reform the judiciary to avoid their recurrence.
“We followed closely the pre-electoral period and Sunday’s voting
process in Ukraine. The turnout shows the Ukrainian citizens’ attachment
to a democratic and pluralistic society,” the statement reads.
