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European Parliament proves consensus on backing Ukraine’s drive for integrating into EU

The European Parliament recognizes Ukraine’s progress within preparing to sign the Association Agreement

KIEV, October 24 (Itar-Tass) - The European Parliament proves consensus on backing Ukraine’s drive for integrating into Europe and strengthening bilateral relations, the Foreign Ministry’s Department for Information Policy reported.

The European Parliament recommended the Association Agreement be signed with Kiev if it fulfilled all conditions - if Ukraine settles the problem of “selective justice”, complies with demands over the parliamentary elections of October 2012 and carries out judicial and election reforms.

The document also provides support for the Parliament’s mission in Ukraine led by Pat Cox and Polish ex-president Alexander Kwasniewski. The mission is designed to search for ways to settle the situation around Ukrainian ex-premier Yulia Timoshenko, who was jailed for seven years on charges of abuse of power while signing gas agreements with Russia in January 2007. The European Union linked the Timoshenko issue with prospects for signing the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November.

Commenting on the European Parliament resolution on the European Neighborhood Policy, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said: “The European Parliament recognizes Ukraine’s progress within preparing to sign the Association Agreement. Ukraine considers the resolution an important political decision taken by the European Parliament.”

The Department for Information Policy said, “Ukraine will continue the work to improve legislation and carry out the juridical reform, and constructively cooperate with the European Parliament mission led by Pat Cox and Alexander Kwasniewski.”

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