You're reading: EU warns Ukraine over democracy

Two weeks after the United States raised similar concerns, a senior European Union official warned the administration of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Jan. 11 that closer integration with Brussels rests on adherence to the core EU principles of democracy and media freedoms.

Wrapping up a two-day visit to Kyiv that included meetings with Yanukovych, his political opponents, independent journalists and human rights activists, Stefan Fuele, the EU’s enlargement commissioner, said that Brussels – the 27-nation bloc’s administration capital — shares concerns expressed recently by the U.S.

In the earlier U.S. statement, American representatives raised the spectre of selective prosecution of Ukraine’s political opposition as media freedoms are curtailed.

“I certainly share the impression” of his American counterparts, Fuele said, noting he raised the issue in talks with Yanukovych and others. “I do not want to speculate at this time on repercussions” that could follow should Ukraine stray away from democracy, he said.

The EU commissioner said that Brussels, nevertheless, hoped for progress and closer ties with Ukraine. He urged Ukraine to speed up adoption of reforms – better anti-corruption efforts, greater openness in the economy — needed to finalize signing of association membership and free trade agreements this year.

He stressed that Brussels could not compromise on core EU “values” such as democracy.

The Dec. 30 U.S. statement came after prosecutors launched more than a dozen criminal investigations against members of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s government, including herself. They are suspected of misspending money while in power. Some remain jailed, including the nation’s former top cop, ex-Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko.

Late last year, Ukrainian prosecutors formally charged Tymoshenko with misspending $300 million in state funds while serving as prime minister in 2009.

Tymoshenko, who lost last year’s presidential election to Yanukovych, denies wrongdoing and insists the charges against her are intended to divert attention from corrupt dealings of Ukraine’s current leadership. Two Ukrainian human rights organizations came to her defense late last year, urging Yanukovych to end political persecution.

Opposition politicians and democrats insist that Yanukovych trampled Ukraine’s constitution in a bit to monopolize political power since his Feb. 25 inauguration. The only election held under his watch – the local contests on Oct. 31 – fell short of democratic standards, international observers charged.

The Moscow-friendly Yanukovych is also accused of bringing Ukraine back into Russia’s orbit of influence, and of trying to establish a Kremlin-styled power authoritarian regime in Ukraine.

Yanukovych has repeatedly denied such allegations. His administration describes the investigations as legitimate attempts to combat corruption.

Sources said that, during meetings with journalists and human rights activists, Fuele was presented with evidence and allegations that media were being muzzled under Yanukovych and that alleged corrupt dealings involving presidential allies were not being investigated. Those sources said that Ukrainian journalists and human rights activists accused the EU of being "too soft"on Yanukovych over the democracy issue.

Touching upon the issues during his Jan. 11 press conference, Fuele said: “In the 21st century, democratic government cannot exist without an independent judicial system and media. This is a question of moral leadership.”

Fuele said he also urged Ukraine to improve its investment climate. One day earlier, Fuele met with the Kyiv-based European Business Association, which represents the interests of foreign and domestic investors. During discussions, sources said he heard complaints that widespread bureaucracy and corruption continue to choke competition, stifling investment.