EU calls on Ukrainian government not to use force against demonstrators

The European Union Monday urged the government in Ukraine not to use force against demonstrators in Kiev, warning that force will endanger dialogue to resolve the crisis in the country. "We see special forces drawn in the centre of Kiev and hear reports that decisions might have been made to use force. If the reports are true this must be stopped," Linas Linkevicius, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, whose country holds the current EU Presidency, told a press conference here this evening. "We say very strongly that the Ukrainian government is not to use force, to investigate fully and transparently the previous cases of the police violence. Those responsible must be held accountable according to law. Any use of force will burn bridges of dialogue with the current government and restoration of trust is very much needed after recent events," he said. "I am very much sure that the EU is ready to facilitate the dialogue with Ukraine, he added. Meanwhile, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, is to visit Kiev on Tuesday. "She is travelling there to support a way out of the political crisis in Ukraine," her spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, told reporters today. Ashton will meet figures from the government, the opposition and civil society during her two-day visit, it was noted. Thousands of people continued demonstrating in Kiev against the government's decision not to sign an agreement with the EU for closer ties apparently under Russian pressure. Moscow instead wants Ukraine to sign a trade accord with Russia