|
|
International ProgramThe Enlarged EU and Ukraine: New Relations |
contact:
The project is financed by the Stefan Batory Foundation (Warsaw), International Rennaissance Foundation (Kyiv), Open Society Institute (Budapest) and has been supported by the Poland-America-Ukraine Cooperation Initiative (PAUCI), financed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). |
|
|
||
Interview with Hanna SkrypnykA Head of Congress of Ukrainian Intelligentsia, a head of M. T. Rylskiy Institute of art, study of folklore and ethnology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of History Science, professor What means "Ukraine's European choice" for you?European choice is a many-sided notion. This is a steady holding of rights and freedoms of individual citizens, ratification of norms of Christian moral, a control of society over power, formation of national elite, development of economy on market base that provides for clear and equal for everybody game rules. European choice in Ukrainian dimension — is overcoming of corruption and domination of oligarchs, aspiration to liquidate artificial barriers between Ukraine and European community; these are active and gradual actions in direction of European integration; this is rejection of so-called multipolarity and searches of strategic partners among totalitarian Asian regimes. Reasons and obstacles of Ukraine's participation in the processes of European integration.The main reason that hampers the processes of Ukraine's European integration is its severe post-totalitarian inheritance. During the last century Ukrainian society endured huge losses, which scope is still unknown to world community. I remind that just during the forced collectivisation, artificial starvation and repressions of 1930s there died about seven million citizens of the most conscious and most diligent part of Ukrainian society. National elite was practically completely destroyed: scientists, writers, intelligentsia, members of state structures, who had believed deceitful Bolshevistic slogans about unanimity and brotherhood of socialistic nations. All this resulted, that Ukrainian society suffered severe physical and mental losses, which were intensified by the years of fascist occupation of Ukraine during the World War II, starvation of the years 1946-47, mass terror of Stalin regime in Western-Ukrainian territory at the end of 40s of the last century. Millions-strong physical losses, and above all — destruction of national elite brought about severe deformations in collective consciousness of Ukrainian society, the consequences of which one can perceive today. Social apathy and passiveness of Ukrainians became an original reaction to the threat of physical destruction that several times impended over them during the last century. This social apathy, as a unique psychological element, intensified after the loss by the citizens of the young Ukrainian state of their savings and economical chaos of the first years of independence, when former party nomenclature completely appropriated the power in Ukraine. Having changed the colours of Ukrainian flag and having used strange to it democratic mottos, it remained the same, as before, balancing on the verge between the past and the present. On the one side — there are talks on the highest level about aspiration to integrate to Europe, on the other side — slackness of concrete actions in this direction, statements about multivectoriality of Ukraine's foreign policy and attempts to reanimate artificial economic and political ties with Eurasian states. And by adding to this lack of democratic traditions in Soviet age (which communistic regime was diligently extirpating), high level of corruption, dependence of citizens on officials, weakness of juridical power etc., than it becomes aware: the main obstacle of Ukraine's participation in the processes of European integration is the present state of Ukrainian society. Of course, there are also outer factors, which don't promote Ukraine's entry into European structures: comfort and stable Western Europe that organised its life long ago, wouldn't like to burden itself with new problems connected with entry into European Union of new members, that, in addition, requires some material costs. Sometimes because of these warnings European countries don't see their own benefits and interests. What is, in your opinion, the contribution of your country in Europe's future; and what is Ukraine's role (real and desirable) in European political, economical and social processes?First of all, Ukraine could become an original ground for approach of European values to Asian space. Confirmation of European norms and living standards in Ukrainian society will positively influence on formation of civil society and development of market economy in former USSR republics, the most of which haven't overcome inheritance of totalitarian past yet. One shouldn't forget as well about potential abilities of Ukrainian economy. Europe and world community will be able widely use famous Ukrainian humus that in future will become an important source of limited food resources of our planet; riches of our entrails that could organically enlarge natural resources of our western neighbours. In spite of negative tendencies of the last decade cased by actual termination of financing of state scientific programs, Ukrainian science hasn't exhausted its potential. Ukraine's positions are strong in aircraft construction, cosmonautics, metallurgy, and some directions of mechanical engineering. And though Europe doesn't always willingly admit competitors to its markets, sooner or later it will have to cooperate with Ukraine. Benefits from such cooperation are obvious. Because artificial removal of the state with almost 48-million population from European markets will at the same time mean the loss of Ukrainian market for Europe, that in future will have huge capacity. The territory of Ukraine has a very important strategic position as a natural transport passage between Europe and Asia, which will soon be covered with dense net of modern trunk-railways and highways, renovated gas and oil pipe lines, electric mains, in which Western and Central-Eastern Europe is very interested. My optimism in this matter is being fortified by active actions of Ukrainian Transport Ministry that during a short period has managed to realize some extremely interesting and perspective programs and projects. One of these projects — is establishing of piggyback transportation on a route Illichivsk — Klaipeda and Kyiv — Slawkuw, which are very beneficial both from economical and ecological point of view. As to real role of Ukraine in all-European political, economical, and social processes, then it — I repeat once again — will depend on changes in its domestic life. Without raising of social activity, removal of oligarch clans from power, development of civil society and formation of new elite Ukraine's movement to European community will be slowed-down. Today's EU expansion and its influence on Ukraine.I think that today's EU expansion will positively influence on Ukraine. Of course, there is a certain threat of division of Europe into "Europe itself" and its "neighbours", the status of which is incomprehensible neither from juridical, nor from moral side. Neighbours differ, but somebody is unlikely to want to have a bad neighbour nearby. Maybe, at least a part of European leaders understands this or will understand a little bit later, and first of all Ukraine's neighbours, who will make more efforts to simplify the process of integration of our state to European house. Sooner or later Ukrainian society will "ripen" for entry into EU, and its present expansion is an important stimulus for Ukraine's advancement towards European integration. Being in the neighbouring countries, our citizens will learn European standards of democracy and economic development, which, undoubtedly, will positively affect all spheres of life of Ukrainian society. At the same time authorities and corresponding institutions of our state will have to stir up their activity for protection of rights of our citizens abroad. And this, in its turn, will promote democratic changes in Ukraine. The role of neighbouring countries, which soon must become EU members (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia), in realization of "Ukraine's European choice".An important role in realization of "Ukraine's European choice" plays Poland. Every year it is visited by hundreds of thousands of Ukraine's citizens, who have the opportunity to watch the changes that have taken place in this country for the last 10-15 years. And these changes cannot but affect subconsciousness of our people. Greater importance for European integration of Ukraine has the position of Poland that during a long period of time gradually, by concrete actions, actively supports that part of political elite of our state, which really longs for integration to Europe. Poland is really a strategic partner of Ukraine. And this induces our nations, intellectual and political elite of both countries to discuss very carefully and tactfully painful pages of our common historical past. I hope, that with common efforts we will be able to understand each other better. I think that other our neighbours that will soon become EU members — Hungary and Slovakia — will support Ukraine in its aspiration to integrate to renovated Europe. Our nations have been living side by side, keeping up neighbourly relations for many centuries. Recently Slovakia demonstrated its striving to continue these traditions — its government had cancelled payment for visa for our citizens. From its part Hungary hasn't introduced visa regime on the border with our state yet, and this is a good sign for Ukraine. As to problems concerning relations between our country and Hungary and Slovakia, one can and should solve them on an equal footing. An effective way of Ukraine towards European structures: independently or along with Russia?Before putting this question, one should clear up, whether Russia aspires to integrate to European structures? Frankly speaking, it causes certain doubts, because impartially Russia's interests are concentrated first of all in Asian region. Therefore it's inexpediently to wait, until Russia will determine its position. Ukraine should first of all proceed from its own national interests, which not always coincide with interests of its neighbours. Unfortunately, now a part of political-oligarch elite of Ukraine openly demonstrates its dependence on position of the northern neighbour. This dependence rides on provincial complexes of certain Ukrainian politicians (who, however, often pretend to the role of Ukraine's guides) and on their material interests, at the heart of which there are not rather clear from legal standpoint economical ties with Russian business. However, sooner or later they will renounce their positions under the pressure of that part of political and economical elite, which in its foreign policy of Ukraine will be guided exceptionally by national interests. What are the interests of Ukrainian business in EU countries?It seems to me that today domestic business is not ready to enter European markets. One thing is to manage using so-called "administrative" resource (closeness to Administration of the President, tax inspection, power structures and so on), the other thing — is to conduct a tense competitive struggle in oversaturated and highly technological markets of European countries. But one should welcome and keep on the state level even those timid attempts, which our domestic business makes trying to "burst" to European markets. Each step in this direction promotes improvement of quality and confirmation of European standards for industrial and agricultural production, ability to agree and master game rules usual for world and European business. What would you advise to change in the policy of EU concerning Ukraine?European Union should once and for all reject the policy of double standards and uncertainty in its attitude to Ukraine. European leaders should work out a clear program that would, on the one hand include some requirements to Ukraine, and on the other hand — provide that in case when these requirements are met, our state will have a chance to become a full member, but not a "neighbour" of European community. Yes, these requirements can and must be strict, but they must be fair and clear for Ukrainian society. Ukraine's entry into EU would considerably extend the zone of democracy, making impossible appearance of totalitarian regime near Central-Eastern Europe. Without Ukraine's participation creation of a new totalitarian formation on Eurasian space is impossible, that was firstly pointed out by Zbignew Brzezinski, and many European leaders understand this. The problems of visas and migration.Let's start with visas. Of course, Ukraine is interested in introduction of visa-free regime in crossing of outer and inner EU borders. However, it is difficult to reach such agreements in the present stage of relations between EU and Ukraine. More real is the procedure of simplification of visa registration that provides for expansion of a net of consulates of European states in Ukraine, cutting down of terms of official registration of the documents, reduction of sum or even complete rejection on payment for this procedure. As to migrations, this is a painful problem that also needs for adjustment on the level of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the countries of Central-Eastern and western Europe. The pivot of future agreements should become a clear regulation of rights and responsibilities of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, who, searching the job often, on the one hand become the object of relentless exploitation, and on the other hand — infringers. First such agreements appeared in Portugal, where the citizens of our state can hence work legally, without breaking labour legislation of this country. I consider, that foreign-policy department of our state should stir up its activity in this direction, and corresponding department of European countries should use their experience in legislative adjustment of relations with the countries that supply labour force. Everybody will benefit from this — the citizens of our state, who have to search earnings abroad, and economy of European countries. There is another aspect of this problem. EU should take into consideration, that every year Ukraine loses much funds connected with detecting, holding and transportation to the motherland of a great deal of illegal migrants from Asian countries, who want to get to Western Europe. Probably, Ukrainian government should more emphatically put a question about partial compensation of these costs. It would give the possibility to increase financing for equipping of eastern and northern Ukraine's borders. Common and differences between Ukraine and "western culture". Is Ukraine a part of the Western World?Beginning with the most ancient — ancient Russian and late medieval — times Ukraine was in the circle of states of western culture. But because of remoteness from Western Europe, western cultural styles settled down on Ukrainian land in a slightly changed state. These transformations had been coming upon Ukraine's territory indirectly, mostly through Poland. Influence of western culture is better perceptible in western, and less — in eastern regions of our state, which after defeat of hetman Mazepa at the beginning of XVIII century gradually lost their originality, having turned into ordinary provinces of Russian empire. After divisions of Poland at the end of XVIII century the same fate awaited Central Ukraine and a considerable part of Western Ukrainian territory, that couldn't but affect the development of Ukrainian culture and brought about its isolation from all-European cultural property, and above all — changes in mentality of Ukrainians that had much common with mentality of a man from western Europe: individualism, respectful treatment to a personality, his/her rights and freedoms. Instead of this, centuries-old forced state of Ukrainian ethnos, one of the negative consequences of which was the loss of national elite, deformed its mental principles, and namely: distrust to the power of foreigners gave rise to distrust to the power at all, unwillingness to obey, certain anarchism of world outlook and inability to live after national interests. Repeated defeats of national-liberate competitions, ruling of communist regime, mass repressions and physical destruction of a considerable part of the population promoted formation of other negative features of many Ukrainians, especially social passiveness which differ them from Western Europeans and Northern Americans as representatives of so-called "Western world". Does Ukraine have a chance to become a part of this world? Yes, it does. Because confirmation of democratic norms and development of economy will guarantee revival of Ukrainian natural mental features — individualism, rationalism, religiousness, democracy that are not peculiar to eastern civilizations and indicate "European" nation. Copyright © Fundacja Batorego
|
||
