Strasbourg, 06/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - In order to overcome the crisis in Ukraine, MEPs called on the EU and member states, on Thursday 6 February, to adopt targeted measures, such as a ban on travel and an assets freeze, against those responsible for the deaths of protesters in the country.
In adopting a joint resolution of the different political groups, the Parliament calls on its conference of presidents to set up a permanent mission of the European Parliament in Ukraine as soon as possible - in order to defuse the tension and facilitate dialogue between the two parties.
MEPs advocate adoption of immediate measures by the EU, especially by increasing diplomatic pressure and by adopting personalised targeted measures (travel sanctions and asset freezes) with regard to all Ukrainian public officials, politicians and the business people who support them, who are responsible for the crackdown on, and deaths of, protesters. The Parliament calls for efforts to be redoubled so as to put an end to the money laundering and tax evasion practised by Ukrainian business people and companies through European banks.
The Parliament would like a swift agreement on a cost-free visa regime and, ultimately, a visa-free regime for Ukrainians. MEPs call on the EU, the US, the IMF and the EIB to “continue to prepare a long-term package of concrete financial support to help Ukraine tackle its worsening financial and social situation and provide economic support to launch the necessary deep and comprehensive reforms of the Ukrainian economy by the government”. The Parliament calls on the Maidan protesters to refrain from the use of force and to maintain the legitimacy of their cause in a peaceful way, and asks all opposition leaders to continue to refrain from unprovoked violence and to keep the protest peaceful. (CG/transl.fl)