2013-12-12 10:15:41

EU Envoy Says Ukraine To Sign Association Deal


(Vatican Radio) The European Union's envoy Catherine Ashton says she has received assurances from Ukraine's government that it remains interested in signing an association agreement with the EU.


Her comments in the capital Kyiv follow clashes between pro-EU demonstrators and riot police, violence she condemns.


Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief, said Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has told her he wants a strong relation with the European Union.


“I believe he should sign as soon as possible, because I think it’s in the interest of Ukraine to do so,” Ashton told reporters.


“I have to accept that what the president says to me is what he is saying to me for me to carry back the message.”

However Ashton said she also discussed with the president a bloody police crackdown on pro-EU demonstrators.


"I made it perfectly clear that this is not the way to go forward,” she added. “I made it perfectly clear that we expect to see discussion and dialogue with people who are using their right to assembly to make a peaceful demonstration.”

After talking with Ashton, President Yanukovych urged the opposition to meet him and several detained demonstrators were reportedly freed.

“To reach a compromise I’m calling on the opposition not to refuse, not to go along the path of the stand-off and ultimatums," he said in televised remarks.


"I am assuring you that the authorities will act only within the framework of the law and will never use force against peaceful gatherings.”


Yet his offer was rejected by the opposition and thousands of Ukrainians who rebuilt barricades that had been torn down hour earlier by riot police.


"You can expect anything from him. He says one thing and he does totally another thing. So you can see day and night politics,” a demonstrator shouted.

He and many other protesters demand the resignation of the government following its initial rejection of an EU association agreement.


Ukraine's leadership is also under American pressure to seek peace, with the U.S. State Department warning it is considering economic sanctions against Ukraine.

Listen to Stefan Bos’ report: RealAudioMP3







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