Ukraine: European Parliament commits to standing by Ukraine

Following up on the European Parliament ad-hoc delegation to Kyiv this weekend, the European Parliament today adopted a Resolution on Ukraine in which it pledges to continue urgent support to this country in a fragile political and economic state.
 
Amid worrying developments in Crimea, the Resolution calls for maintaining the territorial integrity of Ukraine, in line with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances that were also signed by Russia.
 
Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, said: “We pay tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom and real democracy in Ukraine. I am relieved to see that the bloodshed has stopped and a peaceful political transition is in the process of taking place. There is an urgent need for EU and international aid to help the country avoid economic collapse and disintegration. It is now of paramount importance that all parties demonstrate a sense of responsibility, restraint and commitment to genuine dialogue and reconciliation, rather than retaliation.”
 
Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman of the ad-hoc delegation to Kyiv, urged Russia to use its influence to help stabilise Ukraine politically and economically: "We must avoid giving any side alibis to pull the country apart."
 
"Leaders of the opposition showed unbelievable courage in signing the peace agreement last week. Now we need to help the country avoid bankruptcy and give Ukraine all the support that it needs and merits", added Brok.
 
Jose Ignacio Salafranca MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee, explained:  "After the last weeks' dramatic events in Ukraine, we should not forget to pay tribute to all the victims who died courageously. Now it is time for reconciliation, political unity, territorial integration, rule of law, respect of human rights and inclusive dialogue. The European Union should walk beside Ukraine towards this democratic process as it has done until now but it should not do it alone: other countries such as Canada and Japan should join in order to create an international coordination mechanism.”