We must end the tug-of-war between East and West, this is about Ukraine - Main contents
Hans van Baalen, ALDE Shadow on Ukraine welcomes the broad support in the European Parliament for the democratic change in Ukraine following a cross party resolution adopted today. The resolution contains the ALDE Groups four main priority points outlined this week namely need for urgent macro-financial support, a donors conference for longer term budgetary needs, international monitoring in the preparation and conduct of free and fair elections, the renewed offer of a comprehensive trade and cooperation agreement and EU assistance in cracking down on endemic corruption in the country.
The resolution also makes reference to an idea floated this week by ALDE Group President Guy Verhofstadt for a civil society movement based on the Maidan protests to be set up to push for roots and branch reform in Ukraine in the spirit of the protests over the last few months that brought about radical change.
Mr. van Baalen (VVD, Netherlands) recently returned from Kiev said "The Association Agreement should be signed as soon as Ukraine is ready. Sanctions against the former regime and its supporters which were involved in human rights violations, money laundering and corruption should be implemented without delay (travel ban, freezing of assets). Together with IMF, the US and other financial institutions, the EU should give the necessary assistance based on a strong reform policy. Moderates on all sides in Ukraine should work together to prevent escalation of political and social tensions. We expect from Russia which guaranteed the territorial integrity of Ukraine in the Budapest Memoradum to stick to its commitments."
He concluded "We must end the tug-of-war between East and West, this is about Ukraine not an extension of the cold war. Russia must not misinterpret EU support for democracy as a power grab by the West. This can be a win-win situation for all sides if Russia plays a constructive part."