Ukraine: EU ready to assist justice, reform efforts

(Vatican Radio) The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton says the EU wants to help Ukraine bring those responsible for violence during recent anti-government demonstrations brought to justice. Speaking in Ukraine's capitalKyiv, she said the Union is also prepared to offer expertise on constitutional changes that would reduce powers of the president.


The EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton acknowledged to reporters that despite her mediation efforts, Ukraine's two-month-old political and economic crisis remains far from resolved.

She said the EU was ready to help Ukraine find those responsible for violence during recent, sometimes deadly clashes, between police and anti-government protesters.

"Although there is a sense of violence decreasing, there is still great concern about the situation on the ground and great concern to see that those who have committed violence are brought to justice and a great desire to see some kind of transparent and independent process to achieve that,"she said. "I made clear that we are more than willing to help and support such process which I do think is extremely important." Listen to this report from Stefan Bos:

Ashton visited the capital Kyiv where she also discussed with President ViktorYanukovich and the opposition constitutional changes. The opposition is pushing for a return to the 2004 constitution, which would includeYanukovych losing some of the powers he gained following his election in 2010. Under the proposed changes, parliament - not the president - would be appointing the prime minister and cabinet members as well as regional governors. Ashton said the EU was ready to offer expertise.


She stressed that the Union was also willing to support economic reforms. But she dismissed suggestions by opposition leaders that the country deserves something like a multi-billion dollar Marshall Plan, the U.S. initiative to rebuild European economies after World War II.

However some have warned the EU’s involvement will only increase tensions.


"As soon as the European Union gets involved Russia will get involved," a demonstrators said. "It’s our business, and our country. We need to remove Yanukovych, and then to put in a new leader who will do all what we need.” Many demonstrators made clear they seek early elections and closer ties with the EU after Yanukovich opted for Russia instead, but more radical protesters want the country to remain neutral.