This afternoon Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE group leader), together with Hans van Baalen (VVD, Netherlands) on behalf of ELDR Party, was able to visit Yulia Tymoshenko in hospital in Kharkiv in the north east of Ukraine, following meetings in the morning with Ukrainian Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov and the chief prosecutor, Viktor Pshonka.

They discussed the legal case against her which had led to her imprisonment, the forthcoming European football tournament and the pending Association Agreement with the European Union.

"If it can be expedited quickly, the most effective and definitive way to resolve the judicial case involving Yulia Tymoshenko would be to refer it to the European Court of Human Rights for a clear and unequivocal ruling as to whether she has been treated fairly or not," said Verhofstadt. "Failing that, and without further delay, the proposal from EP President Martin Schulz and Ukrainian Prime Minister Azarov to appoint an eminent and impartial European personality to evaluate the case should be speedily pursued."

"The European Union stands ready to pursue the Association Agreement with Ukraine but the onus now lies on Ukraine to prove that it can demonstrate respect for the fundamental rights that form an integral part of it. As long as opposition politicians remain imprisoned, it is hard to see how progress can be made."

"The attendance by European political personalities at this summer's football matches in Ukraine is a matter of personal conscience and judgment though I consider it problematic in current circumstances."