EU Welcomes Ukraine's 'Deep European Aspirations'

EU Council President Herman van Rompuy stated that Ukrainians' "deep European aspirations" are clear and that the EU was ready to respond to them.

Rompuy's statement followed German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle's comment that the EU's doors remain still open for Ukraine.

Westerwelle traveled to Kiev for a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The German Foreign Minister met with representatives of the pro-European opposition, before heading to Kiev's Independence Square, where thousands of Ukrainians continued to protest against the authorities' refusal to sign the EU Agreement. Westerwelle insisted that he was there as a "European, meeting other Europeans."

Van Rompuy in his turn encouraged Ukraine to follow through with signing the key political and trade deal.

"The European Union stands ready to respond to the deep European aspirations of the people of Ukraine, very present and visible these days," Van Rompuy told at a press conference in Rome.

"The Association Agreement, including the deep and comprehensive free-trade area, offers a future for an independent and modern Ukraine.", Rompuy added.

Van Rompuy criticized the excessive use of police force on the protests in Kiev during the weekend.

"I call on all sides to show restraint and respect civil rights and liberties. Excessive use of force by the police is unacceptable," Rompuy stressed.

Earlier, EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy described relations between Ukraine and the European Union as "really close, however addeding that the two parties need to overcome pressure from abroad prior to signing the association agreement.

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