EU admits AA signing beyond framework of summit

The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement may be signed beyond the framework of the summit of "Eastern Partnership", but Brussels hopes that Ukraine will have time to resolve all the issues before the summit in Vilnius, said Maya Kosyanchich, spokeswoman for EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton.

"The question remains open, but we believe that the desired results can be achieved before the summit in Vilnius. The mission of the European Parliament will continue to the summit. The summit will be a good opportunity for further consultation, as it will be attended by presidents, prime ministers, accompanied by foreign ministers of all the EU member-states," Kosyanchich said.

She called the media speculation a statement that the Agreement with Ukraine will be signed in Vilnius, but the ratification process will be delayed until the issue of Tymoshenko is solved.

"Our goal is to sign the agreement at the summit in Vilnius. However, we need to have a final analysis. Now it is up to Ukraine," Kosyanchich stressed.

At the same time the representative of the EU Foreign Policy Chief refused to discuss how much time may be required for the signing of the Agreement, if it is not concluded at the summit in Vilnius. She noted that it is not necessary to wait for the next summit of the "Eastern Partnership" to sign the agreement.