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European Union Ready to Further Enhance Its Relationship With Ukraine
The situation in Ukraine played a prominent role on the foreign-policy agenda of European leaders at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on December 16 and 17. The EU and its member states pledged their full support for the OSCE election monitoring mission, which will observe as the second round of the Ukrainian presidential elections are re-held on December 26, 2004. Germany will send 110 observers to the OSCE mission, which is led by a German diplomat, former Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens. Following the fraudulent presidential elections on November 21, the Supreme Court of Ukraine ordered that the runoff election be re-held on December 26. The Court’s ruling was an important step towards a peaceful, democratic resolution that reflects the will of the Ukrainian people. In a declaration on Ukraine, the European Council commended the leaders and people of Ukraine for having found a peaceful solution to the political crisis in the country and stressed the importance of free and fair elections. Based on a common understanding of the situation and a shared interest in the democratic election process, where the will of the people prevails, EU and U.S. officials worked closely to facilitate an end to the stand-off between the political forces in Ukraine. The EU welcomed the close cooperation among EU international mediators, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and neighboring countries, including the Russian Federation, and the leaders and people of Ukraine. It stressed the strategic importance of Ukraine as a key neighbor and partner of the EU. The European Council underlined the new opportunities offered within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy and successfully finalized an action plan for Ukraine. This action plan provides for a more intensive cooperation with Ukraine and demonstrates the EU desire for an enhanced relationship with the country following the completion of free and fair elections. The European Council tasked the secretary general/high representative and the commission to submit concrete proposals for ways to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine, making full use of the action plan and enhancing Ukraine's relationship with the European Union. December 21, 2004 Link
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