EU again warns Ukraine after Tymoshenko loses appeal

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union on Saturday said it was concerned a Ukrainian court rejected an appeal by ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, once again linking Kiev's integration with the bloc to the case.

"The High Representative wishes to express her concern that the appeals process did not adequately address failings in the original trial of Mrs Tymoshenko, a trial which did not respect international standards as regards fair, transparent and independent legal processes," EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

Ashton said that she "has on behalf of the European Union, been stressing the need for an impartial and transparent appeals process.

"It is a matter of regret that this has not been achieved and that the issue of selective justice in Ukraine continues to require attention."

"The High Representative further recalls the focus in her previous statements on the relationship between Ukraines performance in respecting the rule of law and the development of EU-Ukraine bilateral relations, including the conclusion of the association agreement."

"In this context, the High Representative also notes the conclusion, in the joint statement of the EU-Ukraine Summit of 19 December, that respect for the rule of law will be critically important for the speed of Ukraines political association and economic integration with the EU."

On Friday, a Ukrainian court rejected an appeal by Tymoshenko against her seven-year jail term on charges of abuse of power that has sparked a crisis in relations with the EU.

The EU has repeatedly slammed the trial as unbalanced and warned Yanukovych on Monday that the signing of an agreement taking Kiev a step closer to membership of the bloc depended on Tymoshenko's release.