Ukrainian authorities should ensure proper conduct of post-electoral process – Ashton-Fule joint statement

The European Union says that the final assessment of the recent parliamentary election in Ukraine will also depend on the post-electoral developments and stresses that the bilateral cooperation remains based on respect for common values.

This is said in a joint statement on the parliamentary election in Ukraine by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, which became available to Interfax-Ukraine in Brussels on Monday.

The EU officials said they had taken full note of the international observation mission's preliminary findings on the conduct of the election which presents a mixed picture with several shortcomings, and of the difficulties faced by local electoral observers. "Vote counting is not yet fully completed," the statement reads. "The final assessment will also depend on the post-electoral developments, which we will watch closely. It is therefore particularly important that the Ukrainian authorities ensure a proper conduct in the coming stages of the electoral process, notably as regards the remaining vote count, tabulation of results and following up on possible electoral complaints."

The EU officials also said that they expect that "the future Verkhovna Rada will fully reflect the will of the Ukrainian voters, as expressed during Sunday's elections." "Our engagement with Ukraine towards political association and economic integration remains based on its respect for our common values. We are committed to continue to work towards using the full potential of our relations for the benefit of the citizens of Ukraine and the EU," the statement reads.

Ashton and Fule reiterated their regret that the consequences of trials that did not respect international standards have prevented opposition representatives from standing in the parliamentary election, and called on the Ukrainian authorities to address this matter and take further steps to reform the judiciary to avoid their recurrence.

"We followed closely the pre-electoral period and Sunday's voting process in Ukraine. The turnout shows the Ukrainian citizens' attachment to a democratic and pluralistic society," the statement reads.