A range of problems is hindering the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU apart from the imprisonment of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel has said.
Deutsche Welle reported that, following a meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip on Wednesday, Merkel noted that Ukraine has to do away with “a number of problems” in order to get closer to the EU.
She added that the Tymoshenko case was not the only Ukraine’s problem.
“It is about justice in Ukraine and the country’s attitude towards human rights and individual freedoms. This is why the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which had been approved long time ago, has not been signed yet,” Merkel said.
At the same time, she stressed that the EU is eager to establish closer relations with Ukraine.
In turn, Ansip expressed the same opinion. He said that Ukraine has to overcome “a long way” and added that Ukraine is an important partner of the EU and that is why the Association Agreement has to take effect.
As reported, last week the Estonian premier visited Ukraine to meet with the country’s leaders.
After a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov the Estonian premier expressed hope that the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU would be signed at the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit in November.
“It is wrong to put the future of relations between Ukraine and Estonia and between Ukraine and the EU at stake because of one lady,” Ansip said.
