European Parliament Backs Ukraine'S Eu Aspirations But Warns Of 'Lessening Respect For Democracy'

European Parliament backs Ukraine's EU aspirations but warns of 'lessening respect for democracy'

2010-11-26 09:19:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who on Thursday passed a resolution on Ukraine, backed the country's European Union (EU) aspirations but also voiced concern over the alleged growth in government influence over the media, together with political interference by secret services and the rushed adoption of new election rules.

The Ukraine has "a European perspective with strong historical, cultural and economic links to the European Union", stated the MEPs, who give firm cross-party backing to Ukraine's EU membership aspirations. Under EU treaty rules, Ukraine has a right to apply for membership of the EU.

At the same time, the resolution criticizes "increasingly worrying signs of a lessening of respect for democracy and pluralism" in Ukraine.

MEPs expressed deep concern that media freedom and independence have come under pressure in recent months and draw attention to the disappearance of the editor-in-chief of a newspaper that focuses on corruption.

They also call for an investigation of the Ukrainian USB Security Service, its politicization and possible "interference in the democratic process".

MEPs acknowledged that the local and regional elections of October 31 were conducted "technically in an orderly manner" but nonetheless note that they failed to guarantee the parties' right to compete.

Due to a change in the electoral law just before the elections, many registration requests by opposition parties were not accepted, resulting in a massive victory for the ruling party in 85 percent of the constituencies.  

However, MEPs noted that Ukraine continues to be a "key partner with significant influence" on the security and stability of Eastern Europe and that it also plays a "pivotal role in the EU's energy security."

Here Parliament calls for further agreements to secure energy supplies, although it notes that for these to be concluded, Ukraine needs to modernise and diversify its gas transportation network.

In addition, MEPs welcomed progress made at the November 22 EU-Ukraine summit towards concluding an Association Agreement and the setting up of an Action Plan for visa liberalization for Ukraine.

Such a roadmap can help Ukrainians to consolidate the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms, MEPs believe. The 2012 European Football Championship could also be an opportunity to introduce special measures to facilitate travel by ticket holders, and could be used as a testing period for a final visa-free regime, they suggest.

In the meantime, EU countries have been urged to abolish visa fees for Ukrainians.

In May Parliament gave its green light for a €500 million ($668 million) EU loan to Ukraine. The country has a partnership and co-operation agreement with the EU (in force since 1998) and is currently negotiating a closer association agreement, to cover political, trade, social, cultural and security assistance.

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