During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on Ukraine.

EU - Ukraine: extracts from the statement by Štefan FÜLE, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy

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SOUNDBITE (English), &#352;tefan F&#220;LE, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, The adoption of the Gas Sector Reform Law which paves the way for Ukraine's imminent accession to the Energy Community Treaty, as well as agreement it recently reached with the IMF for stand-by agreement are also critical steps in securing micro-financial stability, transparency and return to growth.

SOUNDBITE (English), &#352;tefan F&#220;LE, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, We are concerned at consistent and widespread reports of a deterioration in respects for fundamental freedoms and democratic principles in Ukraine. Particularly worrying are complaints related to freedom of the media, freedom of assembly and freedom of association.

SOUNDBITE (English), &#352;tefan F&#220;LE, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, For the EU and our Member states, respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law are fundamental principles that bind us together. There are principles that cannot be compromised, so too for our relations with key partners such as Ukraine. The pace and depth of our rapprochement with Ukraine will be determined by full respect for this values.

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), We have to talk about secret services intimidation, clumping down on the freedom of the press. We can't talk about this being bounced out by positive news from the side of industry. We're seeing authoritarian regime that you might equate more to a Chinese approach rather than a Western approach.

SOUNDBITE (English), Adrian SEVERIN (S&amp;D, RO), I believe that we should understand that the real pro-Europeans are pro-Ukrainians, those who are able to bring rule of law, democracy and a European modernisation in their country." He asks colleagues to postpone the resolution that EP is expected to adopt until elections and negotiations in the country are held: "We should not adopt resolutions in the middle of a political process and before we have the fact on the basis on which we can in fact draw conclusions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Adina-Ioana VALEAN (ALDE, RO), A priority should be to support a healthy business environment and the achievement of a functioning market economy in Ukraine by encouraging their property and VAT reforms and their efforts to combat high level corruption. This is why I see the Association Agreement as a powerful instrument of reform. This is why we must continue our negotiations on the establishment of a deep and comprehensive free-trade area and on Ukraine's accession to the Energy Community Treaty.

EU - Ukraine: extracts from the statement by Štefan FÜLE, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy

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