The trial of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko could become an obstacle to the European integration of Ukraine, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has said at a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych.
"Ukraine has made serious efforts and has had significant achievements on the way to participating in the process of European integration. But there are obstacles. And one of such obstacle, of course, is the trial of Ms Yulia Tymoshenko, which is seen in Europe and many countries as a political, rather than criminal trial, which spoils the image of Ukraine," Komorowski told Polish television news channel TVP.Info, according to his Web site.
"The friends, and Poland is a friend of Ukraine, must honestly say that the Ukrainian authorities should take into account the obstacles and difficulties that arise because of the negative perception of Tymoshenko’s trial," Komorowski said.
As reported, Yanukovych paid a one-day working visit to Poland on Tuesday. He met with Komorowski at the residence of the Polish president on the coast of the Baltic Sea.
This is Yanukovych’s first meeting with the leader of a western country since Tymoshenko was arrested.
