Resolution on the results of the Ukraine elections
The European Parliament adopted by 467 votes to 19, with 7 abstentions, a resolution on the results of the Ukraine elections.
The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL and UEN groups.
The Parliament recalls that the situation concerning the first two rounds of the elections has led to a serious political crisis in Ukraine and even to threats to break up the unity of the country. In this context, it welcomes the prompt action taken by the European Union and its Member States by sending mediators with a view to diffusing tensions, as well as the substantially fair elections held on 26 December 2004. The Parliament also congratulates the Ukrainian people who, in a non-violent and mature way, succeeded in resolving a political crisis and setting their country firmly on the path towards democracy. In particular, it congratulates Viktor Yushchenko on his election victory and calls on all sides to accept the election results.
The new Ukrainian political leadership is called upon to consolidate Ukraine's espousal of common European values and objectives by taking further steps to promote democracy, civil society and the rule of law, by resuming the liberal market reforms and by overcoming the political divisions in Ukraine.
Nevertheless, the Parliament is concerned about the deep divisions within Ukraine and the splits along cultural and regional lines affecting the unity of the country. It calls on all political leaders, including former opponents, to make efforts to heal those rifts and reform the country, and considers continuing threats of separatism in Ukraine to be unacceptable.
Pledging its continuing support to the Ukrainian people, the Parliament calls on the Commission, the Council and the Member States to take the expectations and hopes that have been raised by the European Union's close involvement in the resolution of this crisis into account in their future approach towards Ukraine. In this context, the Parliament welcomes the Council's intention to organise an early EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council with a view to the swift adoption of the EU-Ukraine Action Plan. In the meantime, it calls on the Council and the Commission to consider a revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, which must take account of the deep aspirations of the Ukrainian people for European integration. It calls on the Union to include additional offers such as the organisation of a donors’ conference for Ukraine equivalent to the donors’ conference for Georgia of 16-17 June 2004 and to consider visa facilitation for Ukraine, prompt recognition of its market-economy status and support for its joining the World Trade Organisation etc., thus meeting the expectations and hopes raised by the European Union's close involvement in the peaceful Orange Revolution.
The Parliament also calls for other forms of association with Ukraine to be considered, giving a clear European perspective for the country (possibly leading ultimately to the country's accession to the EU). It also calls for support to be provided to economic and administrative reforms in Ukraine through the relevant programmes and projects, including a substantial increase in financial assistance.
In this context, the Parliament recalls the provisions of Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, which state that EU membership is an option for all European countries that satisfy the relevant conditions and obligations. It looks forward to a sustained transition process in Ukraine that would bring the country towards this objective.