Merkel to boycott Ukraine football tournament

Reports from EUObserver and EurActiv on the 30 April 2012 that that EU Justice Commissioner Vivianne Reding will boycott the Euro2012 football championships in Ukraine for political reasons, amid reports the German Chancellor Angela Merkel might also do the same.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 2.5.12: Tymoshenko: Austria ministers in Euro 2012 boycott http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17926935

Die Tageszeitung / Gazeta Wyborcza / Jyllands-Posten, 1.5.12: Boycott Euro 2012 to punish Kiev? (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/press-review/1901351-boycott-euro-2012-punish-kiev

EUObserver, 30.4.12: EU commissioner first to boycott Ukraine football games http://euobserver.com/24/116084

ESO: Background information: Football / Euro 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/football-euro-2012/

Spiegel Online International, 30.4.12: Merkel Rediscovers a Soft Spot for Human Rights http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,830551,00.html

ESO: Background information: Tymoshenko claims put pressure on Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-opposition-unites-against-yanukovich-video-casts-shadow-on-tymoshenkos-case-tymoshenko-claims-put-pressure-on-ukraine/

Spiegel Online International, 4.5.12: Ukraine Warns Berlin of Economic Consequences http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ukraine-warns-germany-of-economic-consequences-in-tymoshenko-spat-a-831278.html

Spiegel Online International, 3.5.12: European Commission Gives Ukraine the Cold Shoulder http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-commission-to-shun-ukraine-during-european-championship-a-831232.html

EUObserver, 4.5.12; Ukraine tells Reding to be less 'emotional' on Euro2012 http://euobserver.com/22/116139

EurActiv, 4.5.12: Poland, Ukraine denounce calls for Euro 2012 boycott http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/poland-ukraine-denounce-calls-euro-2012-boycott-news-512482

Kyiv Post, 24.5.12: French president may refuse from trip to Euro 2012 in Ukraine http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/128149/

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