I follow with great attention the current development in Ukraine after the second round of Presidential elections. The course of the elections and events that followed became the source of my serious concern.

It is a deplorable fact, that recommendations of international institutions addressed to Ukrainian representatives before the second round of Presidential elections were not implemented. On the basis of the evaluation of OSCE international observers, including our own observers, I state that the second round of elections did not fulfill the OSCE and Council of Europe rules and other European and international standards for democratic elections.

I regret the decision of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine to declare, even in this situation, the official results of the elections. I do not believe, and neither does the EU, that these results reflect the real will of Ukrainian people.

I hope that Ukrainian authorities will lead an objective investigation in all cases of complaints concerning the election process and will reach appropriate conclusions. I expect that violence will be avoided and all sides involved will resolve this situation in accordance with the constitution.

It is my belief, that Ukraine will not squander the chance for a deeper integration in the mainstream of the European integration. I expect that the current development in Ukraine will be evaluated in the EU framework and a discussion on the EU - Ukraine relations will take place in the near future. I am ready to take part in such a discussion with regard to the important place of Ukraine among Czech foreign policy priorities.

• Deputy Minister Winkler Met Ambassador of Ukraine
  

  Czech Republic declares, that the second election round in Ukraine did not fulfill the rules of OSCE, Council of Europe and other european standards for democratic elections.(17:40, 23.11.2004)

unofficial translation