Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said the move by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych propels the confidence, which is necessary for signing the EU-Ukrainian Association Treaty in Vilnius this year.
"This is a good move in the direction of having fewer speculations and doubts about selective justice. It is an expected step, which boosts confidence in Ukraine's dialogue with the EU. It is a good step and we hope there will be more of them," Linkevičius told BNS on Monday.
Asked whether the decision increased the odds of signing the EU-Ukrainian Association Treaty during the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November, the minister replied: "We're now on the right path. Let's hope for continuation."
The Lithuanian diplomacy chief recalled EU's expectations of progress demonstrated by Ukraine by May.
"If doubts are cleared by May, we should have enough time to sign the treaty in Vilnius. Everything is according to schedule. But this requires favorable political conditions and we have to be certain that this is Ukraine's irreversible choice and irreversible path," Linkevičius said.
Yanukovych on Sunday pardoned Lutsenko who had been sentenced four years in prison for abuse of office and embezzlement.
He was arrested in December 2010 and was due to be released in the end of 2014.
The imprisonment of Tymoshenko and Lutsenko had caused a crisis in the relations between Kiev and the EU. Brussels has complained about Ukrainian administration's persecution of the president's opponents.
The EU has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine demonstrate progress in the election system and prevent “selective justice."
Lithuanian president refuses to speculate
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė refused to speculate on whether the Ukrainian president's decision to release Lutsenko would be enough to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union later this year.
According to the Lithuanian president, the European Union sees the pardon to the former Ukrainian minister of Internal Affairs as a positive step but hopes for further reforms in Ukraine to advance human rights.
"The move was expected from the conversation I had with the president in February. It was very likely that such a move would be made. But whether it will be enough for all EU menbers states to agree to sign the agreement, I don't want to speculate on that," the president told BNS on Monday.
"I am convinced that this move will be seen as a positive thing by all EU member states, I want to believe that, together will other necessary internal reforms in the area of human rights Ukraine has to do, this move will be very important for making decision on whether to sign an Association Agreement with Ukraine now, soon, I mean this year, or not," she added.
In Grybauskaitė's opinion, it is important to reach as many important decisions as possible with respect to such countries as Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, and Moldova this year in Vilnius which will hold an EU Eastern Partnership summit in November.
"We will take over the EU Presidency, and, with no doubts, it is very important for us for the Eastern Partnership meeting in Vilnius to be as effective as possible and for as many decision as possible to be made with respect to the partnership programs of these countries, including Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, and Moldova," Grybauskaitė told BNS.
