Tymoshenko's case should not obstruct signing of association agreement with Ukraine, says ex-vice president of EC

Former European Commission Vice President Gunter Verheugen has said that the signing of the association agreement with Ukraine and the European Union will become an irreversible choice of Ukraine in favor of the EU.

"If the association agreement enters into force, it will mean that Ukraine has made an irreversible choice and will no longer be in a limbo between the EU and President Putin's Eurasian Union," Verheugen said in an interview with EurActiv.com.

The German politician said that the agreement should be signed despite the situation with former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

"At least for some EU-governments, the release of former Prime Minister Tymoshenko is a condition sine qua non. I doubt the wisdom of this position if I consider the long-term interests of the EU and of Ukraine as well," Verheugen said.

At the same time, the politician said that an association agreement is not an accession treaty with the EU.

"What is at stake in an association agreement? We are not discussing full membership. Therefore I am afraid that we are using double standards here. Our long-term interest is to organize step-by-step the integration of Ukraine into our structures," he said.

As reported, Kyiv expects to sign the association agreement with the EU at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November.