The matter of signing an association agreement with the European Union is a matter of the existence of Ukraine, because the accession to the EU will guarantee the country's independence, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said in her address to the World Congress of Ukrainians that is taking place in Lviv on August 20-22.

"Right now there is no greater priority than the signing of an agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on political association and a comprehensive free trade area. For me this isn't a matter of my liberty or imprisonment, it's a matter of the existence of our country, because joining the European Union will guarantee our independence and protect Ukraine from becoming a part of a new empire," reads Tymoshenko's statement posted on her official Web site.

"We must consolidate our historical European choice with a victory of the democratic forces in the 2015 presidential elections and move to full EU membership for Ukraine. We have learned all the painful lessons we should have from 2005-2010. Three parliamentary opposition forces have already concluded an agreement on full coordination of activities during the next presidential elections in 2015… But the road to our victory in 2015 will be more difficult than ever, even more so than in 2004," the ex-premier stressed.

She expressed the confidence that this time they will succeed "in removing the criminal clans from political power in Ukraine and joining with dignity the European Union and become a full member of the European family of nations."

"I am confident that together we will accomplish our plan. Ukrainians will nurture and build their country into one where they will want to live, work and raise their children, while Ukrainians abroad will be proud of their historical homeland, which the whole world will admire again," Tymoshenko said.