U.S., EU urge Minsk to release political prisoners, Kyiv to admit Tymoshenko to election

The United States and the European Union intend to work together to support democracy and foster economic modernization in the countries of Eastern Europe, including Belarus and Ukraine, according to the joint statement of the U.S.-EU summit in Washington on November 28.

The document declares the intention of the U.S. and the EU to work together "to support democracy, resolve protracted conflicts, foster economic modernization, and advance their political association and economic integration with the EU, recognizing in this regard the importance of the EU's Eastern Partnership."

They urged the government of Belarus to immediately release its political prisoners, and make progress towards respect for the principles of democracy.

"We insist that the government of Belarus immediately release and rehabilitate its political prisoners, and make progress towards respect for the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights," the statement reads.

The U.S. and the EU also urged the government of Ukraine to uphold democratic values in judicial system and ensure the fair and transparent consideration of an appeal by Ukraine's former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko: "We call on the government of Ukraine to make good on commitments to uphold democratic values and the rule of law, notably to ensure a fair, transparent and impartial process in trials related to members of the former government including any appeal in the case of Ms Tymoshenko."

"The right of appeal should not be compromised by imposing limitations on the defendants' ability to stand in future elections in Ukraine, including the parliamentary elections scheduled for next year," the statement reads