On October 9, 2012, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Olefirov met with the Head of European Parliament’s mission of observers to the 2012 Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine Pawel Kowal.

Deputy Head of the EP Delegation Michael Gahler and the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Head of the Delegation of the European Union Jan Tombinski also took part in the meeting.

The Parties discussed Ukraine’s preparation to the parliamentary elections on 28 October 2012. Special attention was also paid to the development of relations between Ukraine and the EU in the context of preparations for signing the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU as well as facilitation by the EU of the visa regime for the citizens of Ukraine.

In this context the Parties expressed confidence that holding elections in conformity with democratic standards will become an important step for further deepening relations between Ukraine and the EU.