Ukrainian authorities use justice system to politically prosecute Poroshenko – European Parliament members joint statement

STATEMENT BY THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, MEMBERS OF THE INFORMAL GROUP OF FRIENDS OF EUROPEAN UKRAINE AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON THE ATTEMPTS OF POLITICALLY MOTIVATED PROSECUTIONS IN UKRAINE.

Brussels, 1 July 2020 – We are alarmed by continuous attempts to misuse the Ukrainian justice system for politically motivated persecution of political opponents. Peaceful power transition in Ukraine after parliamentary and presidential elections last year was highly praised by the European Union and its Member States.

Current attempts to prosecute political opponents pose a risk of democratic backsliding, which is in the interest of third parties seeking to jeopardise European integration reforms in Ukraine.

On June 18, the European Parliament approved recommendation on the Eastern Partnership urging the European Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to promptly enact a strategic and future-oriented vision for the next decade of the Eastern Partnership policy beyond 2020. We see Ukraine as an important European partner in our common efforts to ensure stability and cooperation in Europe.

The Recommendation acknowledges the associated partnership status of Ukraine and calls for additional political, administrative and financial support framework to support and sustain an ambitious pace of implementation of European integration reforms. The fact that an outstanding majority of the European Parliament members voted in support of the Recommendation reiterates our strong commitment to Ukraine and its people.

We acknowledge Ukraine‘s ambitions for deeper integration with the European Union on political, economic, people-to-people and security levels provided that reform results and progress in respect for the rule of law, the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and in strengthening democracy is attained.

We expect that Ukraine‘s judicial system is independent, free of political influence and in compliance of fundamental principles of democracy. We support enhancement and fostering of political dialogue and cooperation among political forces and their leadership, especially as they already share a vision of stable and prosperous Ukraine.

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