EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice-President Catherine Ashton has said that she continues to follow the situation in Kyiv very closely and intends to meet with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders.
“I am convinced that, in light of the violent escalation of events, the European Union has to reinforce the efforts in support of the political solution to the current crisis,” she said in a statement made public in Brussels on Thursday evening.
In this respect all diplomatic means have been engaged, she said.
According to Ashton, EU Commissioner Stefan Fule will travel to Kyiv tomorrow on her behalf and on behalf of European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
“I am pleased that a delegation of the European Parliament will travel to Ukraine early next week. I will be going to Kyiv myself next week to meet with President Yanukovych as well as opposition leaders,” the EU diplomacy head said.
In her words, it is imperative to avoid further worsening of the situation and to pave the way for a genuine dialogue between the authorities, the opposition and civil society.
“Only an inclusive dialogue offers a viable way forward. The doors to dialogue and a political solution have to be kept open,” Ashton said.
