EU-Ukraine
Tymoshenko release would smooth way for association agreement
The presidents of the political groups in the European Parliament today discussed the situation in Ukraine following the report of the EP delegation of Pat Cox and Alexander Kwasniewski to Ukraine. The report comes just weeks ahead of a summit in Vilnius at which the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine is expected to be finalised. Commenting on the situation, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms said:
"This latest delegation to Ukraine has again underlined the urgent need to release Yulia Tymoshenko. The disturbing conditions of her detention have long been clear, something I experienced when visiting her at the prison hospital in Kharkov in June 2012.
"With a potential decision on the association agreement just weeks away, the release of Yulia Tymoshenko on the basis of the compromise negotiated by Cox and Kwasniewski would smooth the way for both sides. Hopefully, President Yanukovych will yield. The association agreement would help promote democratic and economic development in Ukraine. The EU must also insist that the Kiev government is clearly committed to the rule of law."
