Brussels, 30/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - “Very shocked” by the reports from civil society that have been given to her on the situation in Ukraine, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called for an end to the violence and intimidation when she was in Kiev on Wednesday 29 January. “One of the most important aspects that we need to address is the prevention of violence and intimidation. I am very worried about people who appear to be missing. There is much talk when you discuss this with many people about the concept of people almost being taken hostage. And wherever it comes from, the sense of violence and intimidation, it must stop”, Ashton said.
She also called for real dialogue. “The dialogue that has happened from time to time needs to become a real dialogue”, she underlined. In Ashton' view, “there is a real opportunity that must be grabbed right now, to get a serious dialogue going between different parties, people, in order to try and address the concerns the people generally have about the future of the country”. She added that, while the EU can assist, the dialogue must be led by the Ukrainians.
Ashton also stated that Ukraine could reflect on constitutional reforms. “We have heard a great deal about that (…) and I think that is important”, she said. She also called for them “to think about forthcoming elections, free and fair elections”,
According to a European source, Ashton does not rule out returning to Ukraine in the near future, hoping to see “real progress in these coming days”.
Four member states call for visa-free regime. Elsewhere, the prime ministers of the Czech Republic - Bohuslav Sobotka, Hungary - Viktor Orban, Poland - Donald Tusk (see other article) and Slovakia - Robert Fico called, in a joint press statement on 29 January, for a visa-free regime. “We believe in the paramount importance of developing civil society, the mobility of students, independent media, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. In this regard, introducing a visa-free regime with Ukraine as soon as possible has particular importance”, they said. On 30 January, Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych accused the opposition of “continuing to aggravate the situation” because of the “political ambitions of a few” of its leaders. Yanukovych, who is suffering from an “acute respiratory disease” and is on “sick leave”, also stated that it was necessary “to take account of the mistakes that authorities always make”. (CG/transl.fl)