Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 360: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if international observers can report that the recent presidential election in the Ukraine was carried out in a democratic fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7832/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The first round of Ukraine's presidential election took place on 17 January 2010. As no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the two leading candidates in the first round, Viktor Yanukovych and Yulia Tymoshenko, proceeded to a second round. This round was held on 7 February. Turnout for the second round has been estimated at just over 69% and the Central Election Commission has confirmed that Viktor Yanukovych won the election by a margin 3.5% of those voting. I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr Yanukovych. The Government look forward to working with him to further our relationship, both bilaterally and through the European Union.

The International Election Observation Mission, led by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), issued a positive assessment of the first round noting that the election was 'of high quality and showed significant progress over previous elections, meeting most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments'. The European Commission shared this positive assessment. The International Election Observation Mission has made a positive preliminary assessment of the second round, noting that the 'electoral process met most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments' and 'consolidated progress achieved since 2004'. The Mission noted shortcomings in the legal framework of the electoral process which will need to be addressed but said that 'the professional, transparent and honest voting and counting should serve as a solid foundation for a peaceful transition of power'. The European Union has welcomed this positive assessment of the election.

I also welcome the positive assessment of the conduct of the presidential election in Ukraine. The high turnout represents a clear demonstration of the Ukrainian people's commitment to the democratic process. The European Union remains committed to deepening its relationship with Ukraine and supporting the implementation of its reform agenda, and will work with the new President to this end. Ireland contributed two long term and fifteen short term observers to the OSCE Mission for the first round, and two long term and nine short term observers for the second round.