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Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton, Commissioner Štefan Füle, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and foreign ministers on events in Ukraine

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_71444308_020170428"The European Union strongly condemns the excessive use of force on 30 November by the police in Kyiv to disperse peaceful protesters, who over recent days in a strong and unprecedented manner have expressed their support for Ukraine's political association and economic integration with the EU. This support had been welcomed yesterday by the participants of the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit. The unjustified use of force goes against the principles to which all participants of the Vilnius Summit, including the president of Ukraine, yesterday reaffirmed their adherence.

"We call on Ukraine, also in its capacity as Chairmanship in Office of the OSCE, hosting its Ministerial Conference on 5-6 December in Kyiv, to fully abide by its international commitments to respect the freedom of expression and assembly.

"We call upon the president and the Ukrainian authorities to carry out investigations into the events last night and to hold responsible those who acted against the basic principles of freedom of assembly and of expression."

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "Many Ukrainians continue to show their strong support for their country's closer relations with the European Union. It is the right of people everywhere to exp"ress their views in a democratic way.

"I appeal to all parties to refrain from violence and the use of force at all cost. Violence and force are not the way to resolve political differences in a democratic society. I urge everyone to proceed in accordance with constitutional and democratic norms. NATO fully respects all Ukrainians and the democratic ideals of the Ukrainian nation.

"I call on Ukraine, as the holder of the Chairmanship in Office of the OSCE, to fully abide by its international commitments to respect the freedom of expression and assembly."

The NATO foreign ministers said: "The North Atlantic Council discussed the developments in Ukraine. We follow closely the situation in the country.

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"We condemn the use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators in Ukraine. We call on all parties to refrain from provocations and violence.

"We urge Ukraine, as the holder of the Chairmanship in Office of the OSCE, to fully abide by its international commitments and to uphold the freedom of expression and assembly. We urge the government and the opposition to engage in dialogue and launch a reform process.

"A sovereign, independent and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security. Ukraine remains an important partner of NATO and the Alliance highly values Ukraine’s contributions to international security. Our partnership will continue on the basis of the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. NATO remains committed to supporting the reform process in Ukraine."

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