Brussels, 01/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The EU wants to build closer ties with Ukraine (negotiations over an association agreement are ongoing) and is prepared to help it introduce economic reforms, but only if Ukraine respects human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, commented EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle on Friday 1 October: “The EU is ready to accompany you in implementing your economic reform agenda. We are a passionately committed partner in this. We are ready to show flexibility where we can. We are ready to make compromises where we can. But I have to stress that there is one area where we will not compromise. We will not compromise on those common values which form the basis of our relationship: respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles.” The commissioner was speaking at the Yalta European Strategy conference in Ukraine. “It is this commitment that will ultimately define how close the EU and Ukraine come together”, he said. (H.B./transl.fl)