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The Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has issued a message of support to the Ukrainian people ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections.

Speaking recently, the Foreign Secretary said:

This Sunday’s parliamentary elections illustrate Ukraine’s commitment to democracy. The UK stands squarely behind you as you exercise your right to choose your country’s future.

I welcome the steps the Ukrainian authorities are taking to ensure that as many Ukrainian citizens as possible can exercise their right to vote, including arrangements for people displaced from their homes by the instability in the east and the illegal annexation of Crimea. These elections are being conducted against the backdrop of a precarious ceasefire and continued violence in the Donbas region. I commend all those working to ensure a free, fair and peaceful vote.

I am pleased that independent observers from the UK will join over 2300 international observers participating in the OSCE’s election observation mission to report on the conduct of the elections in line with international standards.

Notes to Editors

1. The UK is sending 71 independent observers to support the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) election monitoring mission.

2. The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) released its interim report on the Ukrainian parliamentary elections on 10 October 2014. More information on the OSCE election observation mission can be found on the OSCE website.

Further information

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