Ukraine's Foreign Minister says he expects his country will sign a cooperation agreement with the European Union later this year despite the EU's objections to the jailing of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, according to The Associated Press.

Leonid Kozhara said in an interview Tuesday, May 7, evening with the AP that the Tymoshenko case is a problem in relations between Ukraine and the EU but he said a single criminal case shouldn't be an obstacle to Ukraine signing an association agreement with the EU.

Kozhara says the government expects the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, to make a positive recommendation on an association agreement for Ukraine when it meets on May 15. That recommendation will go to the European Council, which comprises the 27 EU heads of state and government, for a final decision.