Mr Speaker, Dear colleagues,
We greatly welcome the decision by the European Parliament to place the debate on the current situation in Ukraine and EU-Ukraine relations on today's agenda. Ukraine's significance for Europe's stability cannot be underestimated. I am therefore pleased to be allowed, on behalf of the Presidency, to state our position on Ukraine.
The orange revolution impressively proved how powerful civil-society movements are in Eastern Europe. The mostly free and fair democratic parliamentary elections in March 2006 continue to serve as a model and example for other countries in the region.
However, in its arduous transition and transformation process, Ukraine is not for the first time undergoing a difficult phase.
The orange revolution was already per se the culmination of a political argument. Then there were the months of to-ing and fro-ing, the problems in forming a coalition and government following the March 2006 parliamentary elections, in other words a struggle to decide Ukraine's domestic and international orientation.
Most recently, the decision by President Yushchenko on 2 April to dissolve Parliament and the refusal by the government and Parliament to comply with that decision.
Both sides' positions have led to serious doubts in Ukraine from a constitutional-law standpoint. Parliament has therefore asked the Constitutional Court to decide on the constitutionality of the Presidential decree.
The Council is following events in Kiev with great attention and concern.
Since the crisis broke out there have been close contacts between the EU and the two conflicting parties – Javier Solana has spoken to those involved several times and made clear the EU's position.
The day after the announcement of the Presidential decision, the German EU Presidency called on all sides to act with moderation and to be willing to maintain dialogue on the basis of democratic rules and the Ukrainian constitution.
In addition, in Kiev, the German Presidency is in close contact with the groups involved in the crisis and with the protagonists from both sides. The EU will continue these contacts.
Only if the Ukrainian Constitutional Court can decide on the constitutionality of the dissolution of Parliament without pressure from outside can it carry out its difficult task.
However, a lasting solution to the political crisis requires compromises at political level. We therefore welcome the fact that President Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yanukovich are still prepared to talk.
We expressly welcome the assurances by both sides that violence is not an option in solving the conflict. We expect both sides to keep to their public statements and the promises made to the EU in order to avoid a further escalation in the situation.
Democracy, free and fair elections, freedom of opinion and the press remain the basis of political and societal life in Ukraine in spite of all the changes in the political landscape in Kiev.
For that reason, too, we are confident that Ukraine will again find a way out of this political crisis which is in harmony with our shared ideas of democracy and the rule of law. On this path Ukraine can count on our continued support.
