News Release
Benita Ferrero-Waldner
No. 169/04
December 3, 2004
UKRAINE:
EU WELCOMES SUPREME COURT DECISION TO ANNUL SECOND ROUND ELECTION RESULTS
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU’s Commissioner for External
Relations and the Neighborhood
Policy, has welcomed today’s decision by
Ukraine’s Supreme Court to invalidate the results of the disputed run-off
election.
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said:
"Today the Supreme Court in Kiev has instructed the Central Election Committee
to organise a re-run of the second round of the Ukrainian Presidential elections.
It has also instructed the General Prosecutor's office to open investigations
into violations of the original second round vote.
"I welcome this independent decision of the Supreme Court, which opens the
way for a repeat of the second round of the election that can fully reflect the
will of the Ukrainian people. I urge all parties to work constructively for a
rapid, just and transparent outcome. It will be important to find a way forward
that does not prolong the current political uncertainty unduly. It is essential
that the recommendations of the OSCE are fully taken on board in order to prevent
irregularities reoccurring. The European Commission is examining to what extent
we might support this process through our rapid reaction mechanism or other means."
Javier
Solana, the High Representative for the EU’s Common Foreign
and Security Policy, also commented on the Supreme Court decisions:
"I welcome the fact that the Supreme Court of Ukraine reached a decision.
The European Union had always called for a solution to the political crisis through
legal means and in accordance with the constitutional procedures of the country.
I appeal on all parties and institutions in Ukraine to fully cooperate in the
implementation of the decision of the Court with a view to holding free, fair
and transparent elections."
For more on the EU’s relations with Ukraine visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/ukraine/intro/index.htm
Further Contact Information
Sue Tucker
Press and Media Relations
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
susan.tucker@cec.eu.int
