Without reforms and respect for the rule of law in Ukraine, there will be no Stabilisation and Association Agreements with the European Union, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament declared today. Ukraine needs to meet the conditions demanded by the European Parliament on October 27.

Besides respecting the principles of democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, the opposition must no longer be constrained and should be able to participate in the parliamentary elections next year as well as in the presidential elections scheduled for 2015, the Foreign Affairs Committee concluded in its Report on Ukraine, which was adopted today. The abuse of criminal law against the opposition was not accepted.

"The condemnation of Yulia Tymoshenko is an example for the disregard of those constitutional principals. The government of Viktor Yanukovych is endangering Ukraine's European objectives and advantages of its people", said the EPP Group Coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee, Elmar Brok MEP. "The EU wishes to support the European aspirations of Ukraine, but does not want to give up its principles."