A deep and comprehensive free trade area (FTA) with the EU is better for Ukraine than the Customs Union with Russia, former Canadian Prime Minister and Head of the International Advisory Board of Ukraine's Foundation for Effective Governance Kim Campbell has said.

While answering a respective question in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, Campbell said: "Yes [it's better], because Russia does not impose obligations with respect to political standards in Ukraine."

"A country that wants to join the EU gets carrots and sticks. In other words, European legislation has to be implemented, and very difficult reforms have to be conducted," she added.

Campbell attached particular importance to the free trade area between Kyiv and Brussels.

"The question is whether it [the association agreement, including the creation of a free-trade area] will be signed or not, and whether it will be implemented or not. This is extremely important for Ukraine. Ukraine can identify itself with Europe and have good relation with Russia. The free trade agreement with Europe probably excludes the Customs Union with Russia. But this does not exclude the possibility of having good relations with Russia," she said.

In this regard, the politician said that at one time she "would like to see Ukraine as a member of the EU."

"But it's necessary to walk a long path and make a lot of changes. But I would welcome cooperation with the EU, and I hope that the agreement on the free trade area will move forward, because I think it will be a driving force for reform, change and political development in Ukraine," she said.

Campbell added, while referring to the case against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, it would be "very sorry if this problem derails the [association] agreement, which could be a serious system of measures in terms of promoting reform and progress in reform and investment, because Ukraine has a lot of wonderful talented people who need this kind of support."

The politician said that the situation around Tymoshenko was "a serious problem for Ukraine, a negative impact on what Ukraine wants to achieve, and which creates difficulties for the friends of Ukraine."

"[Ukraine's] leadership must find a way out of the current situation," Campbell said.

KyivPost