ALDE MEPS convinced that Ukraine's future remains with Europe - Main contents
Last week Ukraine announced that it will halt discussions with the EU on a political and trade association agreement following a vote by the Ukrainian Parliament to reject the EU's demands to allow jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko to leave the country for medical treatment.
ALDE MEPs regret the decision and remain convinced, along with 60% of the Ukrainian population many of whom demonstrated on the streets of Kiev this weekend, that Ukraine’s best prospects remain in closer association with the EU.
Annemie Neyts, MEP (Open VLD, BE)
ALDE spokesperson on the Foreign Affairs committee stated " The run-up to the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius has taken a major blow with news that Ukraine has stopped its preparations to sign the Association Agreement with the EU at the Vilnius summit this week. I remain convinced that the best future for Ukraine is to strengthen its links and cooperation, both economic and political, with the European Union. "
Hans van Baalen (VVD, The Netherlands) ALDE Spokesperson on Ukraine
added "At the moment of truth, President Yanukovych decided to bow to Russian pressure and ignore the longer-term interests of the majority of Ukrainian people. The mass demonstrations in favour of European Association in Kiev and elsewhere in the country prove that the Ukrainian people want to choose an independent future determined by themselves and in the interests of Ukraine, without Russian blackmail. I hope that Yanukovych will listen to the voice of reason coming from the streets of his own country".