Brussels, 14/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - At a Euronest parliamentary assembly (parliamentary assembly of the Eastern Partnership) press conference in Strasbourg on Wednesday 14 September, MEP Kristian Vigenin (S&D, Bulgaria) argued for negotiation of partnership agreements with the countries of the Eastern Partnership to be speeded up “and the most advanced countries, such as Ukraine, should sign before the end of the year”. While the trial of former prime minister Iulia Tymoshenko could disrupt EU-Ukraine relations, it should not be allowed to destabilise the conclusion of the association agreements. “The agreements are at an advanced stage. I do not think we should suspend them or delay their coming into force as it would be the Ukrainians who would suffer most. The trial might have an effect but it should not bring any delay against the agreed timetable”, Vigenin said. Euronest Joint-President and member of the Ukrainian opposition Borys Tarasyuk would like free-trade talks with Kiev to be put in place next week. He said that the agreement could come into effect in mid-December. (C-C.G./transl.rt)