On official visit in Odessa, Ukraine, Michèle Sabban, AER President, requests a meeting with Ioulia Tymoshenko

Odessa (UA), 10 May 2012

On the sidelines of the Bureau meeting of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) in Odessa, Michèle SABBAN, President of the Assembly of European Regions met with Alexandre MALINE, Vice Governor of the Region of Odessa.

During this meeting, Ms. Sabban inquired about the health of Ioulia TIMOCHENKO and expressed her wish to meet her before leaving Odessa.

“As a woman, and as a European, I recognize myself in the battle carried on by Ioulia Tymoshenko for the dignity of her detention conditions. I hope that she will recover quickly, and the Ukrainian government will reach a acceptable consensus to all.”

The Assembly of European Regions has decided to maintain its arrival in Ukraine, unlike other European organizations and institutions, because we believe that interregional cooperation is an essential key factor for the development of Regions, States and Europe. AER wants to put its political strength and experience at the service of the Ukrainian regions to support them during their economic and social development process, and contribute to a better democratic integration into the European area.


The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.


AER Contacts

Francine Huhardeaux
Head of Press & Communications
+33 3 88 22 74 49
Mob. +33 6 78 69 52 03

François-Xavier Demoures
Member of Cabinet / Ms Michèle Sabban
AER President
+33 1 53 85 50 32
Mob. +33 6 80 21 80 52