28 September 1992

Doc. 6681

REQUEST FOR AN OPINION

FROM THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS TO THE ASSEMBLY

on the accession of Ukraine to the Council of Europe

Sir,

      I have the honour to send you herewith Resolution (92)29 on Ukraine which was adopted by the Committee of Ministers at the 480th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies.

      Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration

Signed: Sönmez KÖKSAL

Chairman of the Ministers' Deputies

RESOLUTION (92) 29

ON UKRAINE

(adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 23 September 1992

at the 480th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

      The Committee of Ministers,

      Recalling its decision, taken at its 8th Session in May 1951, to consult the Parliamentary Assembly before inviting a State to become a member or associate member of the Council of Europe in accordance with the provisions of the Statute;

      Considering that the Government of the Republic of Ukraine has expressed, in its letter of 14 July 1992 to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the wish to be invited to join the Council of Europe, and has declared itself willing to respect the principles laid down in Article 3 of the Statute;

      Having taken note with satisfaction of the Republic of Ukraine's interest in joining the Organisation,

      Invites the Parliamentary Assembly to state its opinion on this matter and brings the following considerations to the attention of the Assembly at this stage:

      First of all, the Committee of Ministers wishes to inform the Assembly that there is consensus among its members in favour of the Ukraine's joining the Organisation as soon as the conditions laid down in the Statute, ie implementation of the principles of pluralist parliamentary democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, have been satisfied. This implies that the legislative and judicial systems of the country would have to conform to the principles of the Rule of Law.

      In his letter dated 14 July 1992, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine indicated that Ukraine would be prepared, like any other member State, to become Party to the European Convention on Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers took note with satisfaction of this intention and expects of the Government of Ukraine that it will express its intention to recognise the right of individual petition and the compulsory jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights. The Republic of Ukraine would thus have to give practical effect to the obligations under the Convention throughout the whole of its territory at the various levels of the administration.

      The Committee of Ministers accordingly affirms its willingness to deepen its dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities and intensify the support provided through its co-operation and assistance programmes, with a view to facilitating and accelerating Ukraine's transition to democracy, and enabling it to join the Council of Europe as soon as possible.