Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is hoping that Ukraine and the European Union will sign an association agreement during Sweden’s presidency of the European Union in 2009.

The media relations department of the Cabinet of Ministers’ secretariat announced this in a statement.

«Without exaggeration, integration of Ukraine into the European Union will be in the hands of Sweden,» Tymoshenko said during a meeting with Sweden’s Parliament Speaker Per Westerberg.

Tymoshenko expressed the hope that Sweden will continue to support Ukraine on its road to European integration.

Tymoshenko congratulated Westerberg on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by Sweden.

According to Tymoshenko, the ratification of the treaty broadens Ukraine’s opportunities to integrate into the European Union.

Tymoshenko thanked Westerberg for the launching of the Eastern European Partnership by Sweden.

Tymoshenko and Westerberg also discussed constitutional reform and development of local self-government.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Tymoshenko traveled to Sweden on Thursday for a two-day official visit.

Sweden intends to facilitate improvement of the visa procedures between Ukraine and the European Union during its presidency of the European Union in 2009.