European Parliament Adopts A Resolution on the Political Situation in Ukraine

KYIV, November 26, 2010 - As a result of a long debate, European Parliament voted on a
resolution on Ukraine during Strasbourg plenary session. The European
Parliament stresses that Ukraine has European prospects and strong
historical, cultural and economic links to the European Union. At the same
time, the European Parliament expressed concern over some problematic issues
so that the whole document looks balanced and unbiased.

The resolution on the political situation in Ukraine was
drafted jointly by the European People's Party (EPP), Alliance of Democrats
and Liberals for Europe (ALDE), Greens/European Free Alliance (EFA) and
European Conservatives and Reformist groups. The resolution was initially on
the agenda of the Parliament's October session. However, the majority of MEPs
decided to postpone the voting until Ukraine's local elections on 31 October
were over, as stated in European Parliament Newsletter.

Based on the Joint Statement adopted at the EU-Ukraine Summit
held in Brussels on 22 November 2010, European Parliament also welcomed
Ukraine's long-term ambition to become an EU Member State.

"This decision is a sign of trust towards the policy,
implemented by the Ukrainian leadership. Also, it is a sign of European
partners' new understanding that such a mighty integration project of the EU
cannot be complete and successful without our country's participation", said
Oleg Voloshyn, Head of the Information Policy Department at the Ukrainian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With regard to the Action Plan towards visa liberalization for
Ukraine as agreed at the current 14th EU-Ukraine Summit, European Parliament
urged the member States to abolish fees for processing national and Schengen
visa applications for Ukrainian citizens as a mid-term objective.

However, the MEPs also expressed their concern over
transparency and fairness of the local elections held on 31 October 2010 in
Ukraine and encouraged Ukrainian leadership to improve the electoral
framework. The resolution urged the Ukrainian Parliament to enact the draft
law "on access to public information" so that it complies with European and
international standards.

For more information, please contact Natalya Shulevska +380633776645 news at wnu-ukraine.com, Project Manager at Worldwide News Ukraine