Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko supports the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union by the end of 2013, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Jan Tombinski has said.

"Yulia Tymoshenko shared with us her opinion and assessment of Ukraine's relations with the EU and other partners. She expressed her decisive support to the signing of the Association Agreement by the end of this year," he told journalist following a meeting with the ex-premier at Kharkiv-based central Clinical Hospital No. 5 on Thursday.

The ambassador, however, did not answer an Interfax-Ukraine reporter's question whether Tymoshenko thinks it is possible to sign the Association Agreement if trials and criminal cases against her are not closed.

The diplomat also did not comment on the EU's position on the issue.

"We discussed everything, but I can only repeat that she expressed her decisive support and willingness to the signing of the agreement. We want to pass the information we've received to our management and draw conclusions on its basis," he said.

At the same time, Tombinski noted that Ukraine has to fulfill three tasks before the signing of the Association Agreement – do away with selective justice, reform the judicial system and reform the election legislation.

He added that he together with U.S. Ambassador John Tefft talked to Tymoshenko for almost two and a half hours. They also had an opportunity to discuss with the doctors at the clinic Tymoshenko's state of health.

"Personally I saw that she is a really strong and very resolute person, but there are some problems with health that hinder her movements," the diplomat said.

In turn, Tefft confirmed his colleague's words.

"Psychologically she feels very confident and I could see that she is a very strong and resolute person, although she suffers physical pain due to her state of health," the U.S. ambassador said.