Joseph Daul hails the freeing of Yulia Tymoshenko

The President of the European People's Party (EPP) and Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul, today hailed the freeing of Yulia Tymoshenko, the former Prime Minister of Ukraine and the leader of EPP member party Batkivshchyna, who had been imprisoned since 2011. Her release comes after months of demonstrations by pro-European Ukrainians opposed to the Yanukovich regime:

“After nearly three years of unjust and politically motivated imprisonment by the Yanukovich regime, Yulia Tymoshenko is finally free. On behalf of the entire EPP political family, I express our great relief and sense of elation now that Yulia Tymoshenko is finally safe and reunited with her loved ones.

Yulia Tymoshenko has been a constant source of pride and inspiration to all of us in the EPP family. Despite her imprisonment and the brutality she endured, she has persevered and ultimately prevailed. Yulia Tymoshenko's freedom today constitutes a tremendous vindication not only for her and her family, but for all who believe in a European Ukraine anchored in democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

The EPP is proud to have stood up repeatedly for Yulia Tymoshenko throughout her long ordeal, even when others did not. She has been constantly in our thoughts, and her absence at EPP Summits and Congresses left a striking void. We eagerly await the opportunity to soon welcome Yulia Tymoshenko back into the work of our political family.

Finally, the EPP continues to stand by all Ukrainians who seek a more democratic, prosperous and European Ukraine. We must ensure that these ideals remain at the heart of Ukraine's reform process going forward.”