26.02.2014

European Parliament spearheading support for Ukraine

The European Parliament is spearheading the call for more EU support for Ukraine following the fall of the Yanukovich regime. A cross-party motion for resolution will be voted tomorrow, calling for the recognition of the right of Ukraine to apply for EU membership, which means to apply under article 49 of the EU treaty.

The cross-party motion also calls on EU member states to allow Ukrainians to travel to the EU without having to apply for a visa first. MEPs are also expected to endorse a demand for significant financial support for the cash-stricken country.

“The EU has both a moral duty as well as a clear self-interest in doing everything it can to set the new Ukraine on a path towards democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights. This includes offering significant financial support, as well as taking steps to bring Ukraine closer to the European Union”, the chairman of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee, Elmar Brok MEP (EPP, Germany) and the EPP Group’s co-ordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee, José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP, Spain) said.

NOTE: The cross-party resolution was tabed today (Wednesday 26 February) by political groups ahead of a plenary debate on Ukraine at 3pm CET. The vote on the text will take place on Thursday 27 February at noon.

For further information:
Office Elmar Brok MEP, Tel. +33 3 881 77323
Office José Ignacio Salafranca MEP, Tel. +33 3 881 77603
EPP press service, Lasse Böhm, Tel. +32 484 65 68 97