Rapprochement between Ukraine and the European Union depends on whether the former Soviet republic adheres to the supremacy of law and human rights, an EU commissioner said Tuesday.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule told premier-turned-opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko in Kiev that respect for the rule of law, human rights and democratic principles remain the main issues in bilateral relations.
Ukraine's authorities have proclaimed EU membership as a key foreign policy priority.
After Viktor Yanukovych won presidential elections in Ukraine in February 2010, many in the West raised alarm over what they called a stepping back from freedom of speech and democracy in the country. Brussels has also expressed concern over the criminal prosecution of the previous Tymoshenko government.
Two criminal cases launched against Tymoshenko include the charges of state funds misuse and the purchase of 1,000 overcharged Opel Combo minivans by the country's Health Ministry.
As the main opposition leader in Ukraine, Tymoshenko earlier said the criminal charges against her and members of her former government were politically motivated.
Tymoshenko has long been at odds with the current president, Yanukovych, to whom she narrowly lost February's presidential elections. She was the prime minister under the previous presidency of Viktor Yushchenko, but moved to opposition after her government was dissolved in March following the elections.
Tymoshenko supporters accuse the Yanukovych government of pursuing "pro-Russian" policies and betraying Ukraine's own interests and claim that a "campaign" against their leader is aimed at destroying the opposition.
KIEV, January 11 (RIA Novosti)
