Oleksandr Turchynov: Cooperation with the OSCE is extremely important for Ukraine

Press Service
26 February 2014, 14:09

 On Wednesday, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov met with the OSCE delegation headed by the OSCE Chair's Special Representative Tim Guldimann.

In the course of the meeting, the Parties have discussed the ways to deal with the situation in Ukraine, which was characterized as a complicated one by Oleksandr Turchynov, in view of difficulties in economy.  

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada noted that as of today the only legitimate body is the Parliament, the main task of which is to form the Government of national confidence that “faces complicated tasks: it should stop deterioration of economic situation, regain confidence in authority and carry out radical reforms.”

In his turn, the OSCE Chair's Special Representative welcomed attempts of a new authority, aimed at stabilizing the inner political situation in Ukraine. According to him, it would be expedient to activate cooperation of Ukrainian authority with the OSCE structures. 

Tim Guldimann suggested reinforce cooperation in such spheres as securing conduction of fair and transparent elections; preserving human rights; adhering to the rights of national minorities; and unbiased activity of mass media.  

“These are the four spheres, the OSCE is ready to support, if the Ukrainian Party is interested in this,” he noted.

Tim Guldimann stressed also that the OSCE upholds democratic transformations in Ukraine which, according to him, will contribute to “obtaining the credit of trust on the part of international community.”

Oleksandr Turchynov noted that Ukraine will be grateful for assistance. He invited the OSCE Election Observation Mission to participate in monitoring the presidential elections on May 25, this year. Apart from this, he stressed that “election campaign has begun and it is very important for us that these elections were democratic and transparent, so that people could for the first time experience election race without prejudice and falsification.”

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada thanked OSCE for cooperation with Ukraine, having noted that cooperation with this structure is extremely important for Ukraine.