Brussels, 08/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - According to the eight MEPs who observed the second round of the presidential elections on Sunday 7 February in Ukraine - won by Viktor Yanukovych but contested by his rival, Yulia Tymochenko - the ballot satisfied the majority of international standards. Pawe³ Kowal (ECR, Poland), who led the delegation, concluded that the elections had been free. “We visited 14 polling stations yesterday, urban and rural, and were impressed with the high level of attention to the rules and procedures. I think we can safely say that Ukraine has raised the level of electoral standards and can be a good example for many other countries”, explained Alojz Peterle (EPP, Slovenia). Several members of the observation mission even congratulated Kiev for the way the elections had been held and said the country should be rewarded. Kowal affirmed that “the door to Europe should be open to Ukraine”. He also stated that “orderly elections are an important signal for European public opinion, that today Ukraine is a normal European country which has the right to make its European choice”. Kowal asked for this pro-European choice of the country to be quickly honoured with the signing of the association agreement (the negotiations are still ongoing) and greater flexibility for visas.
On Monday afternoon Catherine Ashton published a declaration in which she congratulated the positive assessment made by the OSCE/ODIHR of the elections. She also reiterated the EU's commitment to deepen its relations with Ukraine and co-operate with the new president. (H.B./transl.fl)