BRATISLAVA, April 30, (WEBNOVINY)- Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic should join heads of state of Germany, Austria or the Czech Republic in their decision to not travel to Ukraine for a meeting of presidents of central and eastern European countries n the Ukrainian Black Sea resort of Yalta over the Tymoshenko case, believes ex-MFA and SDKU-DS Chairman Mikulas Dzurinda. He said that the time has come for such clear and public attitude.
Dzurinda says that Slovakia is interested in good relations with Ukraine, which is its neighbor and also a neighbor of the European Union. “It is also in our interest that Ukraine comprehends well our emphasis on democratic values, law and rule of law or observing human rights,” said Dzurinda adding that Slovakia shares these values with its allies in the European Union and NATO. Yet, he also understands the idea that it is necessary to interpret our attitudes to Ukraine.
President Ivan Gasparovic is persuaded that not rejection of communication but an open and frank dialogue with Ukraine is the best form to present our opinions, comments and reservations towards the development in Ukraine. “In the issue of the jailing of Ms. Tymoshenko the president does not want to be a judge but he expects that Ukraine will do its best that the trial was fair and in line with standards of international law,“ said presidential spokesman Marek Trubac.
Also German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced that her visit to Ukraine during the Euro 2012 soccer tournament in June is linked to the fate of jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. The jailing of Tymoshenko, arch rival of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovich, on an abuse-of-office conviction has strained relations between Kiev and the European Union, which sees the move as politically motivated.
SITA