The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu expresses its condolences to the families of the victims of the Ukrainian conflict and asserts that Estonia has always supported the efforts of the Ukrainian nation to achieve national unity and to build up a democratic society that respects the principles of the rule of law.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu expresses a deep concern in connection with the demonstrations in Kiev and other parts of Ukraine, which have now turned violent.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu invites all the parties of the conflict to refrain from violence and to solve their differences by negotiations and other peaceful political means as befits a democratic rule of law.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu stresses that the Ukrainian nation must be free to make democratic decisions on the choices of their country. The European Union continues to be open to cooperation negotiations with Ukraine, yet mutual cooperation can only be built on the values set out in the fundamental documents of the European Union.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu invites the European Union to do everything in its power to facilitate democratic, political, economic and social reforms in Ukraine.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu emphasises that the European Union and its Member States must actively support the development of the Eastern Partnership countries and confirm their right to join the European Union when these countries fulfil the Copenhagen criteria.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu stresses the need to discuss the situation in Ukraine in international parliamentary organisations, first and foremost in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in order to strongly urge the Ukrainian authorities to fulfil their commitments in ensuring the rights of their citizens, which include the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press.

Acknowledging the call of the Ukrainian citizens and social organisations not to remain indifferent towards the events in Ukraine, we urge that every possible help be given to the victims of the conflict in case of need.

Marko Mihkelson
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu

Tallinn, 30 January 2014