Luxembourg, 21/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Meeting at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 20 October, the EU foreign affairs ministers called for implementation of the Minsk protocol of 5 September and of the memorandum of 19 September. “The Council expects the parties' full engagement and swift implementation of all other commitments [Ed: not yet in place] under the Minsk documents”, the EU ministers state in their conclusions, which also underline the responsibility of Russia. The Council hails the efforts of Kiev to implement its commitments, especially through the adoption of laws on amnesty and provisional local self-governance. Noting the reduction in the overall level of violence, the Council condemns the numerous violations of the ceasefire.
The ministers expect the legislative elections on 26 October to take place in full conformity with international standards. The Council also expects the “unwavering” practical commitment by the parties to the holding of the early local elections in parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions “in full conformity with Ukrainian law and international standards, as foreseen by the Minsk protocol and by the law on interim self-governance.” The government plans local elections on 7 November. The authorities of the people's republics want to organise their own elections on 2 November. “The holding of 'presidential' and 'parliamentary' elections, called by the self-appointed authorities, would run counter to the letter and spirit of the Minsk protocol and disrupt progress towards finding a sustainable political solution in this framework”, the EU ministers warn, stating that the EU would not recognise such elections. The EU does not recognise the local elections in Crimea and Sevastopol on 14 September, the Council also stated.
In addition, the EU ministers hail the Verkhovna Rada's adoption of the laws on prosecution and anti-corruption, and they encourage Ukraine to continue its reforms and economic modernisation. “Based on the mandate given in the properly conducted parliamentary and local elections, an inclusive national dialogue should be resumed, as foreseen in the Minsk protocol”, the ministers state.
The EU ministers also approved the operational plan of the EU advisory mission for civilian security sector reform (EUAM Ukraine).
Elsewhere, although the issue of sanctions against Russia was not discussed, several ministers stated that in the current state of affairs there was no reason to amend them. The EU ambassadors are due to discuss sanctions on 28 October. (CG)