Brussels – The European Parliament has recommended that the European Commission hold a meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych before the Ukraine-EU summit in order to restore a constructive dialogue.
The parliament made its recommendation in a draft joint resolution on current developments in Ukraine, which will be put to the vote at its meeting on Thursday.
"The European Parliament considers that the recently postponed meeting with President Yanukovych would have been an important opportunity to tackle serious concerns addressed towards the Ukrainian government and to re-establish a constructive dialogue that could lead to the Association Agreement being initialed, provided there is significant progress on both the technical and vital political obstacles still in place," the document reads.
In its draft resolution, the European Parliament called on the EU Council and the European Commission to reschedule the recently postponed meeting with Yanukovych ahead of the EU-Ukraine Summit scheduled for December 2011.
The parliament believes that a deepening of the relations between the EU and Ukraine and the European prospects of Ukraine are of great significance and in the interests of both parties.
"The European Parliament recognizes Ukrainian aspirations pursuant to article 49 of the Treaty of the European Union provided that all criteria, including the principles of democracy, respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are met," the document reads.
Assessing the criminal case against Ukraine’s former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, the parliament "deeply regrets that the sentencing of Tymoshenko is a violation of human rights and an abuse of the judiciary for the purpose of the political suppression of the leading opposition politician; underlines that the law selectively-applied against Tymoshenko dates back to the Soviet times and envisages criminal prosecution for political decisions; whereas articles 364 and 365, currently under review by the Verhovna Rada do not conform to the European and UN standards."
The European Parliament urges the Ukrainian authorities to ensure a fair, transparent and impartial legal process in the case of any appeal by the ex-premier and in the other trials against members of the former government. It insists that Tymoshenko should be allowed to exercise her right to fully participate in the political process as of now and in the forthcoming elections in Ukraine.
The parliament also believes that Tymoshenko’s trial "goes against the Ukrainian government’s proclaimed commitment to democracy and European values."
It also expressed its sincere concern over the continued detainment of former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko and other such cases.
"If the conviction of Yulia Tymoshenko is not re-addressed this will jeopardize the conclusion of the Association Agreement and its ratification while pushing the country further away from the implementation of its European perspective," the resolution reads.
The resolution noted "some signs of decline in democratic freedoms, as well as the eventual practice of the instrumentalisation of state institutions for partisan purposes and political revenge."
"The European Parliament is alarmed by the reports on the deterioration of media freedom and pluralism in Ukraine and calls on the authorities to take all necessary measures to protect these essential aspects of a democratic society and to refrain from any attempt to control, directly or indirectly, the content of outings in the national media," the document reads.
The resolution stresses that the strengthening of the rule of law and internal reform, including a credible fight against corruption is essential not only for the conclusion of the association agreement and the deepening of EU-Ukraine relations, but also for the consolidation of democracy in Ukraine; it is essential for the conclusion and ratification of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament welcomes the agreement that has been reached on the conclusion on a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement and considers this agreement as a solid basis for the possible finalization of the negotiations on an association agreement between the European Union and Ukraine.
The European Parliament strongly supports the recommendations expressed in the joint opinion of the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR on the draft parliamentary election law; Considers it essential that these recommendations are adopted and implemented in an expedient, inclusive and comprehensive fashion that involves both opposition and civil society.
The parliament urges all political forces in Ukraine to conduct a fair and transparent debate about the process of political decision making; insists that investigations into possible failures in the political decision making process should be carried out by a parliamentary inquiry committee.
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