EU recognizes legitimacy of new government in Kiev

Source: Tanjug

BRUSSELS -- The EU has said it recognizes the transitional government in Kiev as legitimate and called on all countries to respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

(Beta/AP, file)

This was announced by the European Commission in Brussels on Friday.
"The transitional government was elected by the assembly, whose legitimacy is not debatable, so we recognize it as a legitimate partner," said spokesman Commission Olivier Bailly, and added that this government "has yet to establish functioning institutions'."

He stressed that the position of Brussels is that all countries should respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The spokesman said that sanctions against members of the former regime who took part in the abuse of protesters are still on the table and discussed by working groups formed by the European Council.

On the table is also the offer to Ukraine to sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, and Kiev will decide whether and when to do it, he said.

When it comes to the Ukrainian request for urgent financial aid in order to avoid economic collapse, he said the amount and format of such assistance "is being discussed."

The EU and its member-states have at their disposal many instruments, said Bailly.

Meanwhile, foreign minister of the Visegrad Four traveled on Friday to Kiev, where they will meet with Ukrainian political leaders, while on Monday EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is expected there as well.