This is a press release from the European Commission

December 28, 2004.

    *** Statement by Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the Europan Commission,
    on the Presidential Elections in Ukraine on 26 December 2004
    Yesterday was a good day for Ukraine and for democracy. I welcome the preliminary findings of the OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Mission which indicate that the rerun of the second round of the Presidential Elections brought Ukraine "substantially closer to meeting international standards".
    I congratulate the Ukrainian people to have taken this further step to a peaceful and democratic society. It is now important that the democratic process can follow its course unhindered. I urge all parties to help ensure that this can happen. Let me also underline the importance that we attach to the territorial integrity of the country.
    Yesterday was also an important day for EU-Ukraine relations. The pace of the deepening of the EU's relationship with Ukraine depends on Ukraine's efforts and achievements in meeting commitments to common values and objectives. The holding of free and fair elections opens the way towards strengthened cooperation with Ukraine, making full use of the European Neighbourhood Action Plan, thus enhancing our relationship. The Action Plan offers an ambitious package of activities, jointly identified by the EU and Ukraine, which will intensify and deepen our relationship.
    
    Contact:
    Martin Selmayr
    Spokesman for Information Society and Media (Commissioner Viviane Reding)
    Phone: +32-(0)2-2.98.12.30
    Mobile: +32-(0)498.98.12.30
    e-mail: martin.selmayr@cec.eu.int