Cox, Kwasniewski named to observe Tymoshenko appeal
(BRUSSELS) - Ex Polish president Aleksander Kwasniewski and Ireland's Pat Cox, a former European Parliament president, were designated Wednesday to observe Yulia Tymoshenko's appeal trial in Ukraine.
Martin Schulz, the current president of the assembly, had suggested sending an "internationally recognised personality" to observe the former premier's appeals process and future trials.
Under the terms of a proposal set out in a letter from Schulz to Ukraine Prime Minister Mykola Azarov last month, the observers would be granted full access to judges, lawyers and documents.
Cox and Kwasniewski are to travel to Kiev on Monday and meet Azarov as well as Tymoshenko's relatives and lawyers.
Schulz said he hoped their mission would help restore ties between the European Union and Ukraine.
Tymoshenko's jailing and trial have prompted huge international criticism, with some EU countries threatening their officials will boycott matches in the Euro 2012 football championships that Ukraine co-hosts with Poland from June 8 to July 1.