ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen MEP expressed his concerns over the state of protection of democratic rights and notably the freedom of speech in Ukraine.
Following talks with one of ALDE’s Ukrainian member parties, European Party of Ukraine, at the ALDE Party Council in Vilnius, the ALDE President said that European Liberals are worried about the deteriorating situation of the freedom of the press in Ukraine. “The Ukrainian government should create equal conditions for the functioning of all media”, President Van Baalen stated.
“The monopolization of media markets must be prevented and the government itself must not interfere in the media’s work. The European Party of Ukraine has launched a rescue committee for the freedom of speech. The ALDE Party is committed to supporting its Ukrainian member parties European Party of Ukraine and Civil Position and other partners in their work for a more democratic and liberal Ukraine,” he added.
Liberal members in the European Parliament have also always been vocal about the general state of democratic affairs in Ukraine and will continue to be active on supporting a free Ukraine.