Kostyantyn GRYSHCHENKO, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister, exchange views with MEPs in the European Parliament in Brussels.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Brussels

exchange of views

NEYTS-UYTTEBROECK, Annemie (ALDE, BE)

GRYSCHENKO, Kostyantyn (UA)

EU - Ukraine: extracts from the exchange of views with Kostyantyn GRYSHCHENKO, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister

SOUNDBITE (English), Kostyantyn GRYSCHENKO, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign affairs, In five days we will conduct local elections. I am fully convinced that they will prove that we live in a vibrant democratic society. Our citizens will make their choice like in any other democracy. Ukrainian leadership reconfirmed on a number of occasions a clear political commitment to ensure free and fair local elections in conformity with international democratic standards. In particular we have managed to amend a law on local elections in order to address the request of our European partners.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kostyantyn GRYSCHENKO, Ukrainian Minister of foreign affairs, Third consolidation of the rule of law through judicial reform and fight against corruption are among the first range priorities for Ukraine. In spite of certain decisions regarded as controversial we can talk about progress in this area as well. Recent adoption of the law in Ukraine on judiciary is an important step to ensure independence of judiciary. This progress will be continued in cooperation with the Venice Commission and the Greek code to achieve the highest standards on the fight against corruption and access to justice by every Ukrainian citizen.

SOUNDBITE (English), Annemie NEYTS-UYTTEBROECK (ALDE, BE), It is often presented as if Ukraine is faced with an either or choice between the European Union and Russia. Things are presented as if there is either rapprochement with Russia which means distancing yourself from the EU or the other way round. I would like very much to hear from you how you feel this. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Our concerns over the democratic development in your country and our worries about increasing activities of intelligence services have obviously been heard in Kiev. Will the resolution of the Council of Europe from October 5th have an effect on the elections? Which measures have been taken to make it possible for the most important political power that is not part of the government, the party of Timoshenko, to participate fully at the elections?

SOUNDBITE (German), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), I ask you in the same spirit as Mr Gahler has just done, to explain us why the electoral law had to be changed before the local elections and why you in the government assumed it to be right that this law is shaped in a way that for many local organizations and NGOs it is impossible for them to participate at those local elections today.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kostyantyn GRYSCHENKO, Ukrainian Minister of foreign affairs, First and foremost I would like to stress that the president of the Ukraine had made quite a number of statements which are clearly addressing the need to have fair elections that would meet the highest European standards. That is why we have invited all these observers from international and nongovernmental organizations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kostyantyn GRYSCHENKO, Ukrainian Minister of foreign affairs, Democracy in a transition is a challenge as well as a mission. And that is a mission which is taken seriously by the government and by the president. That&rsquo;s why after the initial introduction of the law on local elections and it was introduced simply because the previous one was not a fair one. There were also changes that reflected the criticism and allowed political parties to participate.