You're reading: Brussels: We want Association Agreement with Kyiv, but Ukraine to keep up our values

BRUSSELS – The European Union wants to sign the Association Agreement with Ukraine, but Kyiv should first settle problems connected with the politically motivated trials of political leaders.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said this at a press conference on the results of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on May 14.

"We would like to sign it [the Association Agreement], but Ukraine should demonstrate that it lives in the spirit of this political association. We are expecting that Ukraine will eliminate the problems of politically motivated trials, selective justice, which can be seen from the cases of [former Ukrainian Premier] Yulia Tymoshenko and other political leaders. This should be tackled," she said.

Ashton stressed that the importance of fair justice.

"This is the core value for the EU," she added.

According to Ashton, Brussels will attentively monitor the parliamentary elections in October.

"We believe that all candidates should be able to take part in them. The election campaign and the vote will be vitally important for our evaluation of the elections," she said.