Yanukovich denies Ukrainian citizens the benefits of closer EU Association - Hoofdinhoud

Hans van Baelen (VVD, Netherlands), ALDE Shadow on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement made the following statement before the EU Ukraine Summit in Kiev, which starts today.

He stated "The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement can only be signed once Ukraine has shown real commitment to the principles of the agreement. Ukraine needs to ensure the independence of the Judiciary, fight corruption and guarantee freedom of the media. Europe is ready to move ahead in its relations with Ukraine, but President Yanukovich should remove obstacles for Ukrainian citizens to enjoy the benefits of closer Association."

"I am concerned about the recently adopted law on the election of "people's deputies", the essential recommendations of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe have not been taken into consideration. I am confident that EU 's representatives at the summit will remind the Ukrainian authorities of the importance we attach to free and fair elections and the rule of law as a whole."