14:55 12.12.2013

European Parliament calls for immediate launch of EU mediation mission to find a way out of crisis in Ukraine – resolution

3 min read
European Parliament calls for immediate launch of EU mediation mission to find a way out of crisis in Ukraine – resolution

The European Parliament has called for the immediate launch of a new EU mediation mission "at the highest political level" to secure a peaceful outcome to the current crisis in Ukraine.

This is stated in a European Parliament resolution on the outcome of the Vilnius Summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine, which was voted during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday.

"[The European Parliament] calls for the immediate launch of a new, fully fledged EU mediation mission at the highest political level, to achieve, and assist in, roundtable talks between the government and the democratic opposition and civil society and to secure a peaceful outcome to the current crisis," reads the resolution.

In addition, the European Parliament expresses its full solidarity "with those demonstrating for a European future; and calls on the Ukrainian authorities to fully respect people's civil rights and the fundamental freedom of assembly and peaceful protest."

"[The European Parliament] strongly condemns the use of brutal force against peaceful demonstrations, and stresses the need for a prompt, effective and independent investigation, and the prosecution of those found guilty; and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the peaceful protesters arrested in the last few days," reads the resolution.

In addition, the document underlines Ukraine's international obligations in this regard.

"[The European Parliament] stresses that such measures clearly stand against the fundamental principles of freedom of assembly and expression, and are therefore in breach of universal and European values," reads the resolution.

In this regard, the European Parliament noted that in view of Ukraine's position as the incumbent OSCE Chair-in-Office, its record on the defense and promotion of these values is being scrutinized even more closely.

The European Parliament also deplores the "violent events of the night of December 9, 2013, when the security forces stormed the offices of opposition parties and independent media outlets, and harassed protesters."

"[The European Parliament] considers that these events may lead to a further escalation of an already tense situation," reads the document.

In this regard, the European Parliament noted that several channels of communication, including the European Parliament Monitoring Mission led by Presidents Pat Cox and Aleksander Kwasniewski, are open between the EU and Ukraine.

"Therefore [the European Parliament] reiterates that the concerns raised by the Ukrainian authorities to justify this last-minute decision to suspend should have been voiced earlier so as to allow them to be addressed," reads the resolution.

In the light of the current situation the resolution "urges the Ukrainian authorities to engage in talks with the protesters in order to avoid an escalation of violence and destabilization of the country, and urges all political parties to ensure that an orderly, calm and reflective parliamentary debate can be conducted on the economic and political situation and the prospects for future integration with the EU."

"[The European Parliament] notes that in any democracy new elections can be called when renewed popular legitimacy is needed," reads the document, pointing to the possible holding of new elections in Ukraine.

In this regard, the European Parliament recalled that several channels of communication, including the European Parliament Monitoring Mission led by Presidents Pat Cox and Aleksander Kwasniewski, are open between the EU and Ukraine.

"Therefore [the European Parliament] reiterates that the concerns raised by the Ukrainian authorities to justify this last-minute decision to suspend should have been voiced earlier so as to allow them to be addressed," reads the resolution.

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