12/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - MEPs say rule of law is on decline. The very day (11 May) that Ukraine took over presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg (succeeding Turkey), three MEPs - Mario David (EPP, Portugal), Marek Siwiec (S&D, Poland) and Charles Tannock (ECR, UK) - expressed concern about what they called the decline of rule of law in Ukraine. Mario David told the press in Strasbourg that Ukraine was growing ever more distant from the EU and its values. He spoke of “Orange Revolution treason” in 2004. Tannock condemned the “witch hunt” carried out by President Yanukovich and the justice system against political opponents. The EU and Ukraine are currently negotiating an association agreement and a free trade area. (H.B./transl.jl)