A speaker of European Union Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele proclaimed the following statement:

"As a general principle the European Union would like to underline the importance of full respect for the rule of law in all criminal investigations and prosecutions including the principle of a fair, impartial and independent legal process. In this vein the EU also recalls the need to ensure that the criminal law is not used for political ends.

While fully respecting the judicial process, Commissioner Fule nevertheless regrets the fact that, as a result of the restriction on travel upon Mrs Tymoshenko, European institutions are unable to maintain their continuing dialogue with her in Brussels in the coming days. Such discussions form part of the wider dialogue which the EU enjoys with all important stakeholders in Ukraine concerning the implementation of Ukraine's European agenda."

A speaker for Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, made this statement:

"President Jerzy Buzek regrets to learn that he will not have a possibility to meet Yulia Tymoshenko. He was ready and available to meet her during her visit in Brussels and to discuss with her the situation in Ukraine and the current state of EU-Ukraine relations in her capacity as leader of the main opposition party. He looks forward to a future opportunity to meet Mrs Tymoshenko.

Without knowing the exact circumstances of the current decision of the Ukrainian authorities I would like to recall that in the past President Buzek has raised concern about the criminal cases brought against a number of opposition politicians in Ukraine."