Mission statement: European Parliament monitoring mission to Ukraine

Statement made by European Parliament President Martin Schulz,  former European Parliament president Pat Cox and former Republic of Poland president Aleksander Kwasniewski.

"At the end of our 27^th mission visit to Ukraine, we express our deep disappointment at the unilateral decision of the Ukrainian Government to postpone the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union. We take note of the prime minister's remarks on the stressed state of economy and the dramatically increased pressure from Russia in recent weeks.

"We welcome the adoption of the amendments to the law on the parliamentary elections today in Verkhovna Rada. Having regard to President Yanukovych's affirmation this afternoon in Vienna to continue along the path of European integration, we appeal to the President to underline this commitment by delivering on his promises concerning the reform of the public prosecutor`s office and on the law on medical treatment abroad of convicted persons. We believe that the European integration reforms to date can best contribute to the modernisation of Ukraine through their full implementation.

"In this difficult situation we believe that the people of Ukraine should be reassured by the leaders of the European Union that the door will not be shut on the European hopes and aspirations of Ukraine. We commend to the European Union and particularly to President Schulz and the European Parliament, as the authors of this mission, by way of a duty of care to maintain active vigilance with regard to the conditions and treatment of Mrs Tymoshenko. Specific arrangements should be put in place to ensure this.

"There has been enormous effort made by the European Union to work with Ukraine over the last 18 months, not least by this mission. The time-out formula now decided by the Ukrainian authorities is not without clear downside risks, is likely to last for considerable time and the process, if and when renewed, will be complicated by the decision made today.

"The mission intends tomorrow morning (22 November) to return to Verkhovna Rada and then travel to Kharkiv to meet with Mrs Tymoshenko.

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