A re-run of Ukraine's disputed presidential election may be the only way out of the country's political crisis since the result of the disputed vote will never be accepted, the EU's Dutch presidency said on Wednesday. "I don't see how all the complaints that have been filed on the second round of the elections can be solved in such a way that the outcome of this round of elections is utimately acceptable to all," Dutch Europe Minister Atzo Nicolai said. "In such a case a new second round of elections may be the only way out. We then have to ensure they are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner," he told the European Parliament. Ukraine is in turmoil following the second round on Nov. 21, with both the establishment candidate, Viktor Yanukovich, whose government was sacked by parliament on Wednesday, and liberal reformer Viktor Yushchenko claiming victory. The Netherlands holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, meaning Nicolai was speaking with the authority of the foreign ministers of all 25 members states. Nicolai was addressing an emergency debate in the EU legislature as EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana took part in mediation talks with Ukraine's divided leaders in Kiev. Many of the EU lawmakers wore orange ties or scarves in a gesture of support for the Ukrainian opposition movement. Parliament President Josep Borrell announced that a delegation of the EU legislature led by the chairman of the foreign affairs committee would travel to Kiev on Wednesday evening to show their support for democracy there.
