Ban Ki-moon encouraged by government, opposition deal in Ukraine

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon Friday was "encouraged" by the agreement reached between President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders on a process for settlement of crisis in Ukraine, and hoped it would lead to a "genuine" process of reform.Ban's press office said in a statement the Secretary General had called President Yanukovych earlier in the day to personally welcome this "important step forward," stressing that it will be "critical to ensure the swift implementation of the agreement in order to de-escalate the situation in the country and initiate a peaceful solution to the crisis." He also commended the spirit of compromise, as well as the collaborative international approach to finding a resolution to the crisis during which some 100 people were killed.Ban also welcomed the signing into law of the resolution passed by Parliament, resulting in the start of a pullback by police from the centre of Kiev, the capital, and reiterated his appeal for no violence and for dialogue to remain the "primary channel" for addressing the numerous grievances.He also expressed hope that these developments and subsequent constructive efforts of key actors and parties will lead to a definitive end to the crisis in Ukraine and open the way for the country to embark on a genuine process of reform.