מעפּס צו אָבסערווירן היגע ילעקשאַנז אין אוקריינא

"The European Parliament attaches great political priority to Ukraine and that is why the Conference of Presidents decided to send a seven-MEP observation delegation to monitor the local elections. I believe that the success of the Ukrainian reform effort will be also EU success as well. There will be no new Ukraine without an effectively functioning local self-government. I hope that these local elections on 25 October, organised under the new legislation, will be held in line with the internationally recognized standards. I am convinced that the local elections represent another step towards decentralization and consolidation of Ukrainian democracy and are a further incentive for accelerating the European path of Ukraine. We stand ready to help Ukraine in the implementation of the Association Agreement and European Reform Agenda," said Andrej Plenkovič (EPP, HR), who heads the delegation.

The delegation will observe the casting and counting of votes not only in Kiev but also in regions close to the conflict areas in eastern Ukraine.

The delegation forms part of the long-term election observation mission conducted by the אָרגאַניזאַציע פֿאַר זיכערהייט און קאָאָפּעראַטיאָן אין אייראָפּע/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR).
The purpose of the mission is to assess whether the elections are conducted in keeping with Ukraine's international commitments and national laws. MEPs will be guided in their work by international standards and criteria, as defined by the OSCE/ODIHR, and will seek to ensure that fundamental civil and political rights are respected.

The MEPs will meet the Ukrainian electoral authorities, international and Ukrainian election observation organisations, presidential candidates, civil society and media representatives.

A joint preliminary statement on the findings of the international observation mission will be issued at a press conference in Kiev on Monday, 26 October. (Time and place to be determined).

The seven-member delegation represents the political groups in the European Parliament:

אַדווערטייזמאַנט

Andrej PLENKOVIĆ (EPP, HR), Head of Delegation

Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP,SE)

Clare MOODY (S&D, UK)

Tonino PICULA (S&D,HR)

Jussi HALLA-AHO (ECR,FI)

Kaja KALLAS (ALDE,EE)

Miloslav RANSDORF (GUE/NGL,CZ)

הינטערגרונט

The purpose of EP election observation delegations is to strengthen the legitimacy of national electoral processes, thereby increasing public confidence in elections, helping to prevent electoral fraud, better protect human rights and contribute to conflict solution. Election observation is a democracy support tool which is used by the European Parliament as part of its mission to promote democracy and human rights worldwide, especially in the EU's closest neighbourhood. Members of the European Parliament, who have been democratically elected themselves, provide a particular political perspective, expertise and experience in election observation. Over the years, the Parliament has observed more than 100 elections worldwide.

According to the rules governing EP election observation missions, their members must refrain from making any public comments on the organization of the elections, the candidates or political issues before the press conference at which the preliminary statement is issued.

The Head of the European Parliament election observation delegation, Andrej Plenkovič in this case, speaks on behalf of the delegation.