Bruxelles | 11. 11. 2014.
Komentar o Ukrajini nakon izbora za Vrhovnu Radu
Kao predsjednik Izaslanstva Europskog parlamenta za odnose s Ukrajinom zastupnik Plenković objavio je za Europsku pučku stranku članak o odnosu Europske unije s Ukrajinom nakon parlamentarnih izbora 26. listopada
Plenković je u članku naglasio kako Ukrajina treba podršku Europske unije u nastavku reformskih napora te u mirnoj reintegraciji okupiranih teritorija u dijelovima Donjecke i Luganske regije, kao i u vraćanju ilegalno anektiranog Krima u ustavnopravni poredak. Ukrajina je najvažnije europsko sigurnosno pitanje i test za vanjsku, susjedsku i energetsku politiku Europske unije.
Zastupnik Plenković istaknuo je također kako će nedvojbena europska orijentacija Vrhovne Rade olakšati nastavak sveobuhvatnih reformi kroz provedu Sporazuma o pridruživanju s Europskom unijom.
Ukraine has chosen Europe: it needs our support
http://www.eppgroup.eu/news/Ukraine-has-chosen-Europe%3A-it-needs-our-support
Ukraine is Europe's most important security challenge and a test for the EU's foreign, neighbourhood and energy policies. The illegal annexation of Crimea, as well as the Russian-supported rebellion in parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, is a manifestation of aggression against Ukraine. It is a direct violation of Ukraine's Constitution, international law and established global values.
Over the past twelve months, Ukraine has clearly asserted its pro-European stance. Bottom-up action by EuroMaidan led to a change of Government and the election of a new President, Petro Poroshenko, in May. The process of political legitimisation in Ukraine was concluded by the convincing victory of pro-European parties in the early parliamentary elections held on 26 October.
The illegal annexation of Crimea is a direct violation of Ukraine's Constitution, international law and established global values
The elections took place under complex political and security circumstances. The Minsk ceasefire agreements, the postponement of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Ukraine until 1 January 2016 and talks with Russia on gas prices for the winter period created a window of opportunity for political actors to engage in the electoral campaign in a more stable environment than that at the end of August. Regrettably, the death toll continued to rise, as well as the number of internally-displaced persons and refugees. Given this context, Ukrainian authorities deserve credit for the organisation of the parliamentary elections.
Ukrainian parliamentary elections complied with international standards
An Election Observation Mission of 14 MEPs, which I had the honour to head, concluded that the parliamentary elections were conducted in accordance with recognised international standards and in a predominantly transparent fashion. Ukraine's Central Electoral Commission responded to complaints on possible electoral irregularities adequately and without delay. Other international observers and NGOs pointed to some aspects of the electoral process that need to be addressed and improved in the future.
Parliamentary elections were conducted in accordance with recognised international standards and in a predominantly transparent fashion
The elections were conducted under a mixed voting system which combines closed party lists with the ‘first-past-the-post’ electoral model. Half of the seats - 225 - are elected by national proportional party lists and the other 225 seats in individual majority circumscriptions.
27 seats were not filled because elections could not be organised in Crimea (12 seats), parts of the Donetsk region (9 seats) and parts of the Luhansk region (6 seats). These vacant seats will be filled through special by-elections once the situation on the ground allows it. Because Ukraine's Constitution requires a minimum of only 300 MPs to be elected, the validity of the elections is not brought into question.
Solid victory for moderate and pro-European parties
According to preliminary results, the new Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, will be composed of MPs from the Block of Petro Poroshenko (132), Popular Front (82), Selfhelp (33), Opposition Bloc (29), Radical Party (22), Fatherland (19) as well as a few MPs from other parties and some independent MPs. Participation came in at around 52%, which is lower than in the presidential elections in May.
The unambiguous European orientation of the Verkhovna Rada will facilitate the continuation of comprehensive reforms through the implementation of its Association Agreement with the EU, which is being provisionally applied as of 1 November 2014
The results clearly show that a large majority of Ukrainian people support moderate and pro-European parties. It also confirms that Ukraine’s attempts to geopolitically balance the EU and Russia is a thing of the past. The unambiguous European orientation of the Verkhovna Rada will facilitate the continuation of comprehensive reforms through the implementation of its Association Agreement with the EU, which is being provisionally applied as of 1 November 2014.
It is therefore important to promptly constitute the new Parliament with a stable centre-right majority that can give a mandate to the new Government. It is clear that President Poroshenko and the new Government will work hand-in-hand on two key objectives.
The EU stands ready to support, politically and financially, the efforts undertaken by the Ukrainian Government
Implementation of the European reform agenda
The first one is the implementation of the European reform agenda. This entails strengthening the rule of law and fighting against corruption. The EU stands ready to support politically (through a special Support Group) and financially (through a package of 11 billion euros already adopted) the efforts undertaken by the Ukrainian Government.
Reconstitution of Ukraine’s territorial integrity
The second one is the reintegration of Ukraine’s currently-occupied territories in the East as well as the illegally-annexed Crimea into the country's constitutional order by peaceful means and with the support of the wider international community.
Solidarity with Ukraine
The restrictive measures taken by the EU against Russia are justified and should be seen in the light of the fulfilment of its obligations stemming from the Minsk agreements. Further mounting of military forces that might endanger the security of Ukraine are unacceptable. The illegal and illegitimate elections held on 2 November in parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions seriously jeopardised the Minsk agreements and will not be recognised by the international community. They represent an attempt to transform the crisis into yet another frozen conflict.
The European Parliament will continue to provide a substantial contribution to overall EU support to Ukraine in finding peace, stability, unity and a European future for the country
European solidarity with Ukraine is clear and strong at all levels and in all institutions. The European Parliament will continue to provide a substantial contribution to overall EU support to Ukraine in finding peace, stability, unity and a European future for the country.