Spain, Switzerland to send observers to elections in Ukraine

Spain will send observers to the parliamentary elections in Ukraine due on October 28, 2012, reads a letter from Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Brey to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

"I realize that fair and transparent elections are important to the Ukrainian people, and I am glad that you proposed all of the OSCE member states to join the election process via sending their representatives with the organization's observation mission to the elections. That is why I'm happy to inform you that Spain is planning to join in this mission and is coordinating its actions with the OSCE agencies in charge of the organization and holding of the mission," reads the letter from the Spanish premier.

Switzerland will also send its observers to the parliamentary elections in Ukraine. This is stipulated in a letter from President of the Swiss Confederation Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf to Yanukovych.

"I also adhere to the opinion that the protection of civil and political rights during parliamentary elections is especially important to you, and I am glad to accept Ukraine's invitation to the OSCE/ODIHR to send its observers to the upcoming parliamentary elections. As usual Switzerland will send its observers to the OSCE/ODIHR mission," reads the letter.

"We would like to develop relations between Ukraine and Switzerland in the spheres of politics, economy, and culture in future, and close cooperation within the OSCE will contribute to this," the letter goes on.

The president's press service noted that on June 13, 2012, Yanukovych invited observers from the OSCE member states to come to observe the parliamentary elections in Ukraine.