"It is proven this is a deliberate action. Those responsible should be brought into justice," said European Commissioner for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Speaking to a press conference after the EU foreign ministers' meeting held on Monday, Ferrero-Waldner said the meeting had endorsed the European Neighborhood Policy action plan with Ukraine.

After an "open and fair" election is held, Ferrero-Waldner said she herself would visit Ukraine and negotiate with the Ukrainian government with the action plan, aiming to "bring Ukraine closer to the EU."

Dutch foreign minister Benard Bot, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, urged all sides to ensure that the elections of Dec. 26 would be held "in accordance with international standards for democratic elections."

The EU and its member states would continue to contribute to the international election observation mission to Ukraine, which is expected to monitor the election procedures, he added.

A conclusion issued by the meeting on Monday reiterated the EU's support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and urged all sides to "refrain from public statements which could risk aggravating regional tensions."

The EU has been very concerned about the presidential elections in Ukraine, a big neighbor of the EU after its enlargement in May this year.

The EU accused the second round of the elections of not conforming to international standards after the Ukraine election standoff emerged on Nov. 21, refusing to accept the election results announced by Ukraine's Central Election Commission on Nov.24.

EU foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana has so far visited Ukraine for three times to mediate, and the EU applauded the repetition of the second round of elections and the Ukrainian parliament's decision to amend the election law.