'Ukraine must respect rule of law'

Guido Westerwelle (left) with Radek Sikorski in Warsaw; photo - PAP /Andrew Hrechorowicz

Westerwelle told journalists that Europe is based on two pillars: democracy and the rule of law.

"The judgement against Yulia Tymoshenko leaves doubt as to whether this decision was consistent with the rule of law. The [German] government has criticized the ruling as being a politically motivated verdict," he said.

The judge on Tuesday gave former prime minister Tymoshenko seven years in jail and a ban on holding public office of three years for her part in a gas deal with Russia that, the court said, was to the detriment of the Ukrainian state to the sum of 200 million of USD.

Minister Sikorski, on the other hand, reminded that Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich has said that the court ruling “may not be final”.

“So a lot still can happen in this case,” he said.

At a press conference Wednesday, Tymoshenko's attorney Yuriy Sukhov said that they would be appealing the case in Ukrainian courts before moving on the European Court of Human Rights.

Guido Westerwelle was in Warsaw to attend a gala celebrating 20 years since the inauguration of the Centre for the Foundation of Polish-German Cooperation. (pg)