JAVIER SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, welcomes the agreement to hold early parliamentary elections in Ukraine on 30 September

May 29, 2007.

    Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) welcomes the agreement between the Ukrainian leaders to hold parliamentary elections in Ukraine on 30 September and made the following statement:
    "I warmly welcome the agreement announced in the early hours of today by Ukraine's President Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yanukovych and Parliament Speaker Moroz, on holding early parliamentary elections on 30 September. The talks also included opposition leader Tymoshenko, who has announced that she is committed to the agreement.
    Today I congratulate the leaders of Ukraine, both in government and in the opposition, for their show of commitment to democracy and Ukraine's future development. This negotiated compromise makes everyone a winner.
    Over the past two months, I have been in regular contact with all the key leaders in Ukraine. They have all expressed their commitment to finding a negotiated solution to the country's political crisis. Now that such an agreement has been found, I very much look forward to the Ukrainian Parliament, when it convenes on 29 and 30 May, passing the legislation necessary for implementing it, including guaranteeing preconditions for free and fair elections."
    Now is the time for everyone in Ukraine to focus on implementing the necessary reforms. This will also give further impetus to the deepening ties between the European Union and Ukraine. The European Union is very committed to this partnership, the quality of which depends on the quality of Ukraine's democracy and reforms".