Ontwikkelingen rechtszaak Timosjenko gevolgd namens het Europees Parlement (en)

Pat Cox, former European Parliament President, and Aleksander Kwasniewski, former President of Poland, will monitor court proceedings involving imprisoned former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on behalf of the European Parliament (EP), EP President Martin Schulz said on Wednesday.

Following meetings or other contacts with Cox and Kwasniewski, as well as with Tymoshenko and Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, Schulz made the following statement:

"I am delighted that Pat Cox and Aleksander Kwasniewski have accepted my proposal to go to Ukraine to monitor court proceedings involving Ms Tymoshenko on behalf of the European Parliament.

Mr Cox and Mr Kwasniewski are personalities of high international repute. They command respect for their excellent record in foreign and domestic politics. They enjoy wide support across all political forces in the European Parliament.

I hope their mission will be a breakthrough that will help Ukraine to address problems concerning the rule of law and the independence of judiciary. I hope it will contribute to restoring mutual confidence in EU-Ukraine relations.

Mr Cox and Mr Kwasniewski will have full access to all documents relevant to the case as well as lawyers, prosecutors and other officials involved."

The EP will provide comprehensive legal and logistical assistance.

The EP's envoys will meet Prime Minister Azarov on Monday, 11 June in Kiev. They are also expected to meet Ms Tymoshenko's family and lawyers.

President Schulz will meet Mr Cox and Mr Kwasniewski in Brussels on Thursday at the European Parliament.