Ashton: EU welcomes end of second round of voting in Ukraine presidential election

18:40

The European Union welcomes the completion of the second round of voting in the presidential election in Ukraine, which demonstrated "important achievements" in Ukrainian democracy.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said this in a statement released in Brussels on Monday.

"I welcome the completion of the second round of voting in the Ukrainian presidential elections and the positive assessment given to the process by the OSCE/ODIHR-led International Election Observation Mission. The generally calm atmosphere in which the elections were conducted, the open campaign in the media and the fact that the electorate were provided with a genuine choice represent important achievements in Ukraine's democratic development," Ashton said.

She congratulated the people of Ukraine on the high voter turnout in both rounds of the elections and the strong commitment demonstrated to the democratic process.

Ashton also said that the European Union remained committed to deepening the relationship with Ukraine and supporting it in implementing its reform agenda.

"It looks forward to working with the new president to this end," she said.

08.02.2010