Visits

Working visit by President Dalia Grybauskaitė to Ukraine, 11 May 2012

President Dalia Grybauskaitė had a bilateral meeting in Kiev with the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. In Kharkov, the President met with Mikhail Dobkin, the Governor of Kharkov Region, and visited former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in hospital.

According to the President, due to delayed reforms, especially in the sphere of human rights, Ukraine's European perspective is becoming increasingly vague. Therefore, unambiguous and rapid decisions on the part of Ukraine are needed for maintaining further cooperation and mutual confidence. Legal reform, discarding the relicts of post-Soviet repressive law, is a key priority.

"Europe's trust in Ukraine is diminishing. The possibilities to rectify the complicated situation exist, but it is up to the Ukrainian people to decide whether to use or not these possibilities and whether to choose the path towards getting closer to Europe or the way of self-isolation," the President underlined.

The decision of the Ukrainian government to move Yulia Tymoshenko to a hospital where she will be under the care of German doctors is a positive sign. However, this is only the first step on the path towards European values. Respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic values is a major precondition for the European integration of Ukraine, Dalia Grybauskaitė said.

Ukraine's European perspective will depend on such factors as ensuring for Yulia Tymoshenko the right to adequate medical treatment, behavior with imprisoned opposition leaders, respect for human rights, and implementation of internal reforms.

Transparent, free and democratic elections to Verkhovna Rada this autumn are crucial for building confidence between Ukraine and the European Union.

Dalia Grybauskaitė and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych discussed the Euro-integration prospects for Ukraine.

Press Service of the President