Ansip criticized over ‘one lady’ comment

  • 2013-04-17
  • From wire reports

MORE SUPPORT: Europe wants to see a democratic Ukraine, says Marko Mihkelson.

TALLINN - Chairman of the Riigikogu Committee on Foreign Affairs Marko Mihkelson estimated that Prime Minister Andrus Ansip’s statement last week regarding the administration of justice in Ukraine, and “one lady,” was thoughtless and would not help Ukraine’s integration with Europe, reports Postimees Online.

“Estonia has full support for Ukraine’s aspirations to enhance cooperation with the European Union. The success of an independent Ukraine with respect of the principle of rule of law largely determines the future developments in our close neighborhood,” said the MP, adding that this has a direct link to Estonia’s security dimension.

“For example, Ukraine has had a much more difficult starting position than Estonia, and hence the internal developments after the Orange Revolution have probably not been as hoped for in the free world. In such a large country with great internal controversies as Ukraine, reforms simply take longer,” noted Mihkelson.
He explained that Estonia needs to support Ukraine on its chosen path. Which also means that Estonia can by no means agree with or ignore the selective administration of justice, as it slows down democratic processes in the country.

“Therefore, I consider the statement from Prime Minister Andrus Ansip concerning ‘one lady’ to be thoughtless and not contributing to the principal goal: to integrate democratic Ukraine with Europe. Kiev needs to understand that implementing the principles of the rule of law is in the interests of their own improved welfare and security,” said Mihkelson.

Last week, during his visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Ansip stated that developing relations are in the best interests of Ukraine and of the European Union.
“It is wrong to put the future of relations between Ukraine and Estonia and Ukraine and the EU on one single card, on one lady,” said Ansip, as quoted by the Ukrainian Government Press Service.