EU: The Ukrainian People Gave the Authorities a Mandate for Reform

In General fundamental rights and freedoms were overall respected in the parliamentary elections, said Maja Kocijancic. However, it is important that Kyiv address the shortcomings identified, on the basis of OSCE recommendations. According to the preliminary assessment of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, fundamental rights and freedoms were overall respected in the parliamentary elections, said Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Maja Kocijancic.  A statement was issued on Monday, 22 July. “Following the presidential elections in March and April, the Ukrainian people have once again given a strong mandate for reform,” she said, noting that the campaign was competitive, and the electoral administration were competent and effective. The Mission did, however, report vote-buying and intertwined business and political interests that dictate media coverage of elections. “It is important that the Ukrainian authorities address the shortcomings identified, on the basis of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations,” Kocijancic stressed. The European Union stands by a democratic, stable and prosperous Ukraine. “We look forward to continuing to advance our political association and economic integration and deliver on the reform process at the core of our Association Agreement, and closely cooperating to that end with the new Verkhovna Rada and the new Government, once formed,” the EU Foreign Service said in a statement. DW