Warsaw, 13/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - During the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council held on Wednesday 12 October, the Polish Presidency of the EU Council expressed disappointment at the prison sentence imposed on the former prime minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko. Justice Minister of Poland Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, who spoke on behalf of his country, condemned the decision taken by Kiev. He said they support the declarations made by Catherine Ashton and feel “disappointed”. He went on to add that they, too, are calling for a fair trial. The decision by Kiev, he said, is sure to have an impact and bearing upon the European Union's policy towards Ukraine. Respect of rights must, he opined, be the fundamental principle underlying relations.
European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, who attended the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council, holds the same opinion, saying the sentencing of Yulia Tymoshenko will undoubtedly jeopardise relations between the Union and Ukraine. Tymoshenko has been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for having signed agreements, considered to Ukraine's disadvantage, with the Russian gas giant Gazprom. To this, Russia's Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov replies: “It is not my place to comment on Kiev's decision. However, the only thing I can say is that the gas contracts signed at the time are in line with international legislation”. (VW/transl.jl)