Tymoshenko's Party to Join European People's Party
05/08/2007 10:01
PR Newswire
KYIV, Ukraine, August 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The Batkivshchyna Party founded and led by Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's
Leader of the Opposition, has announced that it will become an observer
member of the European People's Party (EPP) - Europe's largest pan-national
centre-right party. The move recognises Batkivshchyna's commitment to
furthering modern European democratic principles and values, and places
Ms Tymoshenko alongside other EPP leaders who include the French President
Nicolas Sarkozy, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and German
Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The announcement to join the EPP will be made by Ms Tymoshenko during the
convention of the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko (BYuT) being held in Kyiv today,
ahead of Ukraine's parliamentary elections on 30 September, 2007.
EPP President Wilfried Martens, who will speak at the convention, said,
"We welcome your efforts in building a democratic party with European values
and principles, which will bring Ukraine and all her citizens a prosperous
and peaceful future for all."
"Joining the EPP demonstrates our commitment to deliver political
stability and economic growth for Ukraine, enshrined by the rule of law and
best principles of European democracy. We will uphold these values," said Ms
Tymoshenko.
The EPP is the largest European party on the continent with 69 members
from 37 countries, 18 heads of state and government (12 EU and 6 non-EU), 9
European Commissioners and the largest Group in the European Parliament with
278 members.
EPP members lead all the major institutions of the European Union in the
first half of 2007 - the European Council led by German Chancellor Angela
Merkel, the Commission led by President José Manuel Barroso, and the
Parliament led by President Hans-Gert Pöttering.
For further information please contact: Natasha Lysova, Foreign media spokesperson, BYuT, Tel./fax: +38-(0)-44-462-5839, Mobile: +38-(0)-67-752-5131, Mobile: +38-(0)-67-323-6040, Email: nlysova@beauty.net.ua