COPENHAGEN, 29 October 2014 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) issued the following statement today on the early parliamentary elections in Ukraine:

"I congratulate the authorities and citizens of Ukraine for holding an election that our OSCE PA observers found to be well-organized, transparent and peaceful overall. As they noted, to hold an election that largely meets democratic standards at this time of crisis and pressure in Ukraine is an achievement that demonstrates admirable commitment to OSCE principles. It is a sign of real progress. Now is the time for Ukraine to seize the momentum and build on the good foundation that this election has provided; That means instituting needed reforms to improve democracy in the country and the lives of all of its citizens, including through national dialogue.

"I deplore the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula by the Russian Federation and the continued de facto control of parts of Ukrainian territory by illegal armed groups. The almost daily loss of life is a tragic reminder of the human cost of the ongoing hostilities.

"I look forward to welcoming a new delegation from Ukraine into the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – one that should eventually include MPs yet to be elected from Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk. We welcome a contribution by the Verkhovna Rada to the Assembly's Interparliamentary Liaison Group on Ukraine, which aims to bring together Ukrainian, Russian, and other MPs to help promote a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

"I also applaud the dedicated work of my parliamentary colleagues who observed the election, under the leadership of Mr. Kent Harstedt and Ms. Doris Barnett. Coming from nearly 30 countries across the OSCE area, their hard work was a strong show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and their democratic aspirations."