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Ukraine has to choose democracy and rule of law

Verhovna Rada”We have raised concerns about the rule of law, the fairness and transparency in the recent regional elections as well as the freedom of press in the Ukraine”, said Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, who led a delegation of EPP Group MEPs to the Ukraine. The delegation met opposition leaders, Yulia Timoshenko and others, as well as government representatives such as Deputy Prime Minister, Sergiej Tihipko, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Konstantyn Gryschenko, and the Speaker of the Parliament, Volodymyr Lytvyn.

”We welcome increased cooperation and closer ties, including free trade agreements, visa facilitation and energy cooperation. But closer cooperation requires the Ukraine to choose the path of democracy and rule of law, fighting corruption and conflicts of interest in government and authorities”, underlined Hökmark.

”When we raise concerns and worries, it is not to raise obstacles for cooperation but to get rid of them. There must be no repetition of the failures of the recent regional elections. The next parliamentary elections must be just as fair and transparent as those that brought the present Government to office”, concluded Hökmark.

For further information:
Gunnar HÖKMARK MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845822
Per Heister, EPP Group Press & Communications Service, Tel: +32-496-645530

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members