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Ukrainian authorities hope to sign an Agreement of Association with the EU, bringing the nation closer to EU integration. But a stumbling block to the agreement could be the court case against Yulia Tymoshenko and if it proceeds according to legal norms.

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian parliament approved a law that would allow Ukraine to participate in various EU programs.

The move brings Ukraine one step closer to European integration.

The government plans to sign an association agreement between Ukraine and EU in December this year.

But some politicians in the West believe that the European perspective for Kyiv to a large extent depends on the outcome of the case against former premier Yulia Tymoshenko.

[Hans-Jurgen Heimsoeth, German ambassador in Ukraine]:
"Many European leaders have spoken to the Ukrainian government about the ongoing court cases in Ukraine and pointed out how important is that these cases go along to European standards. And there is an inter-relationship between the rule of law in Ukraine and the further process of Association. "

British Ambassador in Ukraine Leigh Turner wrote in his blog:
"... Any result of ongoing court cases against Ms. Tymoshenko and other opposition leaders must be based on solid legal ground."

The pro-government Party of Regions believes that Ukraine will sign an Agreement of Association with Europe and the Free Trade Area in December, and the question of Tymoshenko will not impede the process.

According to the head of the faction in parliament, court cases against opposition leaders are domestic issues of Ukraine.

But the outcome of the Tymoshenko case may be changed with a change in the Criminal Procedure Code, which would result in the decriminalization of certain offenses.