Barroso warns Kiev on EU ties

European commission president Jose Manuel Barroso has urged Kiev to resolve the current crisis gripping the country.

He has warned that failure to do so threatens to undermine Ukraine’s efforts to forge closer ties with the EU.

Barroso was speaking after meeting with Ukraine president Viktor Yushchenko in Brussels on Tuesday.

“I have encouraged president Yushchenko to pursue efforts to find with all key parties a viable solution to the situation in full respect for the principles of democracy and the rule of law,” said Barroso.

He also warned that Kiev’s EU progress was in danger of slowing.

“Of course there are some delays. A country that has stability can deliver much better results than a country that has no stability.”

Yushchenko dissolved parliament on 2 April and issued a decree calling for new elections on 27 May after accusing prime minister Viktor Yanukovich and his governing coalition of trying to oust him.

Other influential European politicians have also appealed to Yushchenko to resolve the crisis.

"Ukraine should find a peaceful and democratic solution to the crisis," said EPP-ED leader Joseph Daul, a French MEP.

He appealed for EU support for strengthening institutions in Ukraine.

“We understand his decision and the necessity to hold early elections,” said Wilfried Martens, president of the European People’s Party, who held talks with Yushchenko during his Brussels visit.

“It is important that the EU supports the Ukrainian president, democracy and the rule of law.”

Meanwhile, Rene van der Linden, president of the Council of Europe parliamentary assembly, said that dividing Ukraine into pro-Western and pro-Russian was an “offence” to Ukrainians.

After discussions with Yushchenko in Strasbourg earlier this week, van der Linden appealed to decision-makers to show a “great sense” of political responsibility and not to “heat up” tensions in society.

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