OSCE and EU assess progress of elections assistance to Ukraine

KYIV, 15 December 2010 - An OSCE-supported conference held today reviewed the results of a long-term election assistance project that established a state voter register, trained nearly 90,000 election officials ahead of 2010 presidential elections and supported to the drafting of a new unified election code.

The project was implemented from 2008 to 2010 by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, the European Union, the Canadian International Development Agency, the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency, Irish Aid and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Strategic Programme Fund.

The conference, organized by the project implementers together with the Central Election Commission, analyzed the achievements of the project. The participants - election experts, representatives of governmental bodies, political parties and the international community - also discussed further international assistance to strengthen Ukraine's election system.

Discussions particularly focused on support to develop election legislation and to strengthen the training capacity of the Central Election Commission.

"We have achieved substantial progress in our efforts to assist in strengthening election processes in Ukraine, but there is still work to be done, and the OSCE will continue to support authorities in this area." said Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

Jose Manuel Pinto-Teixeira, the Head of the EU Delegation in Ukraine, added: "We expect that the electoral reform is conducted through a transparent and participatory process. The process would involve significant representation from the political opposition and independent representatives of Ukraine's civil society and of experts who would have voice in the deliberations and a vote on the outcome."

The Head of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine, Volodymyr Shapoval, said the 2010 elections showed the effect of the assistance that the international organizations provided to strengthen election processes in Ukraine. The establishment and operation of a state voter register was of particular importance, he said.

"Our international partners did not politicize the process, and this is very important for the implementation of election reform in Ukraine," he added.

Kati Csaba, the Head of Aid at the Canadian International Development Agency, said: "Canada has made a long-standing commitment to supporting democracy in Ukraine. Each election that is run in accordance with OSCE standards lends legitimacy to the electoral process and reinforces democratic governance. Though Ukraine is moving towards the path to reform, there is still room for improvement. Canada has been proud to support OSCE election reform efforts since they promote transparent and accountable elections and support Ukraine's long-term democratic development."

The conference was part of OSCE and EU efforts to provide election assistance in a project currently funded by the European Union and the Canadian International Development Agency. The Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency, Irish Aid and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Strategic Programme Fund have contributed to the project in the past.