Paul Kehoe
Question:128 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the political situation in Ukraine following recent elections in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7646/05]
View answerTuesday, 8 March 2005
Questions (104)
Written answers
Viktor Yushchenko was inaugurated as President of Ukraine on 23 January following the rerun of the second round of presidential elections. On 4 February Ms Yulia Tymoshenko was appointed as Prime Minister and a new Government took office. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our warm congratulations to the President and Prime Minister of Ukraine as well as the Government and to wish them every success in the testing period ahead. I look forward to taking up at an early date an invitation from Foreign Minister Tarasyuk to make a visit to Ukraine.
The events surrounding the protracted election in Ukraine and the positive conduct of the final ballot clearly demonstrated the deep attachment of the Ukrainian people to democracy and fundamental freedoms. Through their actions to protect democracy and through the peaceful transition of power the people of Ukraine have shown the world that their European aspirations are firmly rooted in values that are shared by European states and citizens.
Undoubtedly many challenges lie ahead for Ukraine in consolidating democratic accountability and in pushing forward with political and economic reform. The new Government has an ambitious reform agenda which includes regulatory and investment reform as well as democratic reform and reform of the media. Complex issues relating to privatisation, competition and corruption need to be addressed and the Government in Kiev appears determined to deal with them. Naturally there are differing views within the country on the best way forward.
In recent weeks the President and Government of Ukraine have focused on communicating their priorities to both national and international audiences. President Yushchenko has said that maintaining national unity will be a key objective. His aim is to build a strong socially cohesive country which is based on market economy principles. The President has made clear that membership of the European Union and NATO is a strategic goal for Ukraine.
During an address to the Council of Europe Assembly on 25 January President Yushchenko promised to do all he could to make the democratic changes in Ukraine irreversible and to build a country in which human rights, democracy and the rule of law are protected. He also pledged to fight corruption and said that several high profile crimes including the murder of the journalist Heorhiy Gongadze in the year 2000 will be fully investigated. I understand that the President has now also pledged to investigate the reported suicide of Ukraine's former Interior Minister, Yuri Kravchenko, who died on Friday. Mr. Kravchenko was a key witness in the Gongadze case and was due to give evidence to prosecutors. Prior to his death a number of arrests had been made in connection with the murder of Mr. Gongadze.
Ireland believes that the European Union must continue to respond appropriately to Ukraine's ambitions for systemic political and economic reform. The approval in Brussels on 21 February of an EU-Ukraine action plan under the European neighbourhood policy was a significant step for both sides. Over the next three years the plan will help to foster greater economic integration and political cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. As long as Ukraine adheres to the path of political and economic reform it can count on practical support and assistance from the European Union in meeting these goals.
Ireland in common with other European Union member states looks forward to working with Ukraine in consolidating its transition based on democratic values, our shared belief in the rule of law and our common commitment to the universal applicability of human rights.