[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR H. RES. 402

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2013

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I join my fellow Co-Chairs of the 
Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, Reps. Sandy Levin and Jim Gerlach in 
rising today to support the passage of H. Res. 402, supporting the 
European aspirations of the people of the European Union's (EU) Eastern 
Partnership countries, and to express continued support for Ukraine as 
it moves closer to signing the EU Association Agreement.
  In order for Ukraine to progress democratically and economically, it 
is imperative that the conditions of this agreement, as jointly 
initialed by the EU and Ukraine, are fully met--in law and in practice.
  The critical November 28-29 Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, 
Lithuania is quickly approaching, bringing with it the deadline for 
signing the Association Agreement. Accordingly, we urge the U.S. 
Department of State to advance all appropriate opportunities for 
cooperation with Ukraine to address the remaining required reforms, 
including electoral and rule of law reforms as well as issues related 
to selective justice, particularly the release of former Prime Minister 
Yulia Tymoshenko. Along with the clear democratic and economic 
benefits, we believe these reforms, coupled with international 
monitoring and oversight, provide the best opportunity to ensure free 
and fair elections in Ukraine in 2015 and beyond.
  Consistent with our support for H. Res. 402, we applaud the EU's 
progress--much of it through the Eastern Partnership program--in 
helping to build democratic, prosperous, and stable societies 
throughout Eastern Europe and the Caucuses. Building on that progress 
is in the national interest of the United States; consequently, we call 
on the U.S. Department of State to direct needed resources to help 
support Ukraine's European choice.

                          ____________________