On Sunday evening, Secretary General issued a statement on the Ukrainian Presidential election:

"I congratulate the Ukrainian people on the election of their new President and Petro Poroshenko on winning their support in the first round. This clear mandate should be an important step towards resolving the political crisis in our Member State Ukraine.

I trust the new President will act decisively to restore peace and democracy in the country. He can count on the Council of Europe to continue supporting Ukraine in its reform process, in particular the reform of the Constitution.

Full respect of democracy, human rights and the rule of law is the only way for the Ukrainian people to guarantee a prosperous and peaceful future of their country," he said.