Statement by Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP on the forthcoming Presidential Elections in Ukraine

December 24, 2004.

    *** Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), made today the following statement with regard to the repeat of the second round of the presidential elections in Ukraine on 26 December:
    "The upcoming presidential elections are of key importance for Ukraine. I am confident that all sides will work to ensure that these elections are free, fair and transparent. The population of the country has been calling clearly and loudly for this in the past few weeks. The European Union, together with the rest of the international community, is strongly committed to supporting Ukraine in this critical moment. A large number of election observers from EU members states have joined the International Election Observation Mission led by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The way the electoral process is conducted will set the framework for future relations between Ukraine and the EU. "