Members of the regional council demand the President to sign the association agreement with the EU (Text)

The appeal was sabotaged by representatives of the Party of Regions and the Democratic Party of Hungarians

Today, November 27, there was a meeting of the regional council deputies. The agenda included the relevant issue: "On the appeal of the Regional Council deputies to the President of Ukraine."  40 regional deputies – representatives of the United Center, Batkivshchyna, Front of Changes, KMKS – came to the extraordinary session. Only representatives of the Party of Regions and the Democratic Party of Hungarians did not come to the meeting of the session.  Transcarpathian Regional Council Chairman Ivan Baloha said that sociology shows that the majority of Ukraine’s population supports European choice and signing of the association agreement in Vilnius. That’s why he signed the decision to convene the session. But, since the session was incompetent due to lack of quorum, members decided to hold a meeting and vote by show of hands, considering one simple appeal – "Mr. Yanukovych, sign the Vilnius agreement."

Among the guests, there were deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, heads of public organizations, creative unions, and journalists. 

Following the discussion, the present deputies decided on the appeal to the President Viktor Yanukovych demanding the restoration of European integration course. It was agreed to send the appeal by a telegram to make it to the summit in Vilnius – the press service of the regional council reported.

The appeal reads as follows:

"Transcarpathian Regional Council, as well as 349 of the 351 local councils of all levels by their decisions supported Ukraine’s course towards European integration that you have proclaimed. Transcarpathians are absolutely sure of the validity and positive prospect of the development in that direction, because they have practical experience of cross-border cooperation of local communities, non-governmental organizations in the region and established business contacts with neighboring European countries on the basis of multilateral agreements.

 Therefore, the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 905-r dated November 21, 2013 to suspend the preparations to signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union was unexpected for all and contrary to the development strategy of the state, the laws of Ukraine and the decrees of the President of Ukraine.

Given the social and economic consequences of such an act, the loss of prospects for European integration progress towards a society where the rule of law and respect for basic human rights, a high level of social protection and human values are crucial, and economic development promotes high standards of life, we consider the said order of the Government to be anti-popular and one that indefinitely delays the Ukrainian dream of a decent life in the European family of civilized nations.

Please note that even in this situation, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expressed their clear position: "The proposal on the signing of an unprecedented agreement is still on the table." "We believe that by supporting the association and free trade zone, the most ambitious agreement, the EU has ever offered, Ukraine will receive the best support of economic situation and reforms" – quote from their joint statement.

With this in mind, we absolutely demand from you, Mr. President, to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union during the Vilnius summit," – the appeal of Transcarpathian deputies to the President of Ukraine states.