Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said: “The responsibility for the failure to sign an EU-Ukraine agreement lies solely with Ukrainian president Yanukovych. His actions risk undermining the economic and democratic development of his country. It is a pity that after European leaders have shown their support for Ukraine, including Maltese Prime Minister Muscat who went to Ukraine to sign a double taxation relief agreement, President Yanukovych has allowed himself and his country to be blackmailed by Vladimir Putin.”

Prof. Cassola agrees with Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms, who stated: “The EU cannot leave the country hanging: negotiations on the Association Agreement and a solution for Yulia Tymoshenko must continue. Those who are on the streets in Kiev demonstrating in support of democracy need and deserve a European perspective. The EU must do everything possible to support this new pro-European movement, which is being driven by young Ukrainians. On the ground, these students have concrete and straightforward demands, notably visa liberalisation and a comprehensive Erasmus programme for the country. The EU must deliver this. It must also finally speak out with a strong and united voice, including against the interference of Putin.”

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Iċ-Chairperson ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika, Prof. Arnold Cassola, qal: “Ir-responsabbilta` tal-falliment biex jiġi iffirmat ftehim bejn l-UE u l-Ukraina hija biss tal-president tal-Ukraina Yanukovych. Hemm riskju li l-azzjonijiet tiegħu iwasslu biex jimminaw l-iżvilupp ekonomiku u demokratiku ta’ pajjiżu. Hija ħasra li wara li mexxejja Ewropej taw l-appoġġ tagħhom lill-Ukraina, inkluż il-Prim Ministru Malti Joseph Muscat li mar l-Ukraina biex jiffirma ftehim dwar ħelsien minn taxxa doppja, il-President Yanukovych ħalla lilu nnifsu u lil pajjiżu jiġu irrikattati minn Vladimir Putin”.

Prof. Cassola jaqbel mal-co-President tal-Greens/EFA Rebecca Harms, li qalet:” L-UE ma tistax tħalli lill-pajjiż imdendel: in-negozjati fuq il-Ftehim ta’ Assoċjazzjoni u għal soluzzjoni għal Yulia Tymoshenko jeħtieġ li jibqgħu għaddejjin. Dawk li ħarġu fit-toroq ta’ Kiev f’demostrazzjonijiet favur id-demokrazija jeħtieġu u ħaqqhom l-appoġġ ta’ perspettiva Ewopea. L-UE trid tagħmel dak kollu possibbli biex tappoġġa dan il-moviment ġdid pro-Ewropa, immexxi minn żgħażagħ Ukraini. Dawn l-istudenti għandhom talbiet ċari u konkreti, bħal liberalizzazzjoni tal-visa u programm estensiv tal-Erasmus programme għall-pajjiż. L-UE jeħtieġ li tilqa’ din it-talba.  Hemm bżonn ukoll li fl-aħħar titkellem b’vuċi soda u magħquda, fosthom kontra aktar indħil minn Putin.”