Expert describes PACE resolution as last warning to Ukrainian authorities

“In principle, this is one of the last, or, perhaps, the last warning to the Ukrainian authorities”

KYIV, January 27, 2012 (UBO) – The resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) entitled “The functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine”, which was adopted in Strasbourg on January 26, is the last warning to the Ukrainian authorities, Vadym Karasiov, director of Ukraine's Institute for Global Strategies said, UkrInform reported.

“In principle, this is one of the last, or, perhaps, the last warning to the Ukrainian authorities,” the analyst said. At the same time, when asked whether the assembly could introduce sanctions with respect to the credentials of the Ukrainian delegation to the PACE, Karasiov said: "If Ukraine makes conclusions and if the Ukrainian government, the political and judicial systems demonstrate their intention to democratize their activity and work within the legal framework, then warnings about sanctions will remain just warnings.”

In Karasiov opinion, if Ukrainian politics and the judicial system develop in the same way they did earlier, European institutions may consider introducing partial sanctions against not only Ukraine, but also against government representatives.

PACE adopted a resolution on the functioning of democratic institutions in Ukraine at a plenary session on January 26. The PACE, in particular, proposed that the Monitoring Committee monitor the situation in Ukraine and, if necessary, propose further actions, including the introduction of sanctions against the country.