Liberal statement on the situation in Ukraine

December 6, 2013

OTTAWA – The Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic, Marc Garneau, issued the following statement today on the crisis in Ukraine:

“Ever since Ukrainian independence, it has been understood and accepted by all major Ukrainian political parties that a strong and effective relationship with the rest of Europe, and particularly the EU, was a fundamental goal of Ukraine’s economic and foreign policies.

“Successive Ukrainian governments have worked consistently to put into place the kinds of agreements that would make this kind of relationship – one that will provide real long-term benefits to the Ukrainian people – a reality.

“We are disappointed that President Yanukovych suspended negotiations with the EU when all parties appeared to be very close to signing an agreement. We understand why so many Ukrainians have taken to the streets to express their disapproval.

“Peaceful demonstrations are an important tool that allows a concerned public to make their views known. We urge the Ukrainian government to respect the right of its citizens to demonstrate peacefully.

“We sympathise with the goals of the demonstrators and urge President Yanukovych to return Ukraine to the path of close cooperation with Europe.”