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International ProgramThe Enlarged EU and Ukraine: New Relations |
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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). |
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Interview with Volodymyr Stretovych, MPA Head of Committee of the Supreme Rada of Ukraine on struggle against the organized crime and corruption, "Our Ukraine" faction. What means "Ukraine's European choice" for you?For me it means return to the bosom of the family of European nations, where it was a thousand years ago. Recently I spoke at the international conference in Vilnius, in which took part Hungarians, Swedes, Frenchmen and Germans. In my speech I recollected, that daughters of prince Yaroslav Mudriy were the wives of these countries' kings, and then there wasn't a question, whether Ukraine (then — the Kyiv Rus, of course) was a European state or not. The problem is how to restore historical justice and return our state to European context, but at the same time take into account present-day requirements and development of civilization, according to requirements and principals of social life's organization that act in "Old Europe". We (Eastern-European and Baltic states) form so-called "New Europe", which joins "Old" one after 50 years of enslavement. For me, therefore, this is the restoration of historical justice with taking into consideration of those realities that exist in Europe today, and their spreading upon all the processes, which take place in Ukraine (political, economical etc.). But at the same time we shouldn't forget, that we have our own mentality, characteristic features and traditions. As Shevchenko said: "Study the other's things and do not avoid your own ones". In 150 years after these words we return to our cradle. Besides, for me this question is also a question of day-to-day activity directed to bringing of Ukrainian political standards to conformity, which are put as prerequisite for return to Europe. Reasons and obstacles of Ukraine's participation in the processes of European integration.The reason of nonparticipation in the processes of European integration is an absolutely dim and multivector foreign policy, without an accent on what we should long for, and what we build in our state after it has got the independence. Whether it should be "eastern variant" (Russia or Central Asia), that reminds today's realities very much, or it should be "western variant" — with our approach to western standards of democracy. Uncertainty induces the supreme political leadership and the Supreme Rada to be in two positions: to face Europe, but feel that eastern neighbour is at the back of the pack. But having returned to the East, we have to hear disapprobatory words of the West: 'what are you doing'? Russia won't soon become a democratic state and won't reduce its imperial ambitions and attempts to hold Ukraine within the zone of its influence with corresponding consequences of economical and geopolitical character. Therefore the sooner parliament determined the principles of foreign policy, the sooner this problem would be solved. One more reason is a low intellectual level of ruling elite of Ukraine, which isn't aware of importance of European choice's realization, that is Ukraine's entry into all-European economical and political space. Unfortunately, now there isn't felt a great wish of the main representatives of the state to move toward the West. I can be reproached: "And what about our historical ties with Russia?" But I will answer, that without European and democratic Ukraine democratic Russia is impossible. We must become an example for it on this path. 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?Taking into account potential of Ukraine, it should have been one of the leaders of new Europe's development. Taking into consideration not only resources, but also history, geographic position and so on. Economical potential should give us an incitement. I believe in "Ukrainian miracle", which typologically resembles "economical miracles" of South-Eastern Asia. But possibility for several years pass the way that the others passed during decades depends on political will and political conviction of the population, which is already tired of today's troubles. Probably in 15-20 years Ukraine will be among those 5-7 countries that will be "trendsetters" in Europe's development. At least among Slavic states we are going to take a leading state and maintain it on all-European level. There forms a biopolar system in the world: EU and the USA. And Ukraine can play an important role in EU. But all this will depend on politicians and population, which will support European choice. Without this we'll make no headway for a very long time. But we should change staid approach and a vision of Ukraine as a state that didn't come about. Ukraine should be a leader not only by the territory and population's quantity, but also by the policy it will carry out. Today's EU expansion and its influence on Ukraine.It can have two consequences. The positive one is when we'll get rid of "neighbour" status proposed by Great Britain for Ukraine and get a status of a candidate of the next wave. It can be postponed, but precise mutual signals are necessary. We must declare, that we are ready to join EU after a certain interval of time and through fulfilment of requirements put to the states-candidates. But following the path that follows EU, which doesn't want to acknowledge Ukraine's right on entry (as a week, unpredictable country with a high level of organized crime and corruption), being afraid that its problems can turn up like a bad penny for safe Europe, means that we will be pushed toward eastern direction, and provocation of revival of empire disorganized 12 years ago. Now it is necessary to get a clear acknowledgement of EU interest to see us among the candidates; and Ukraine should confirm European choice through its everyday actions. Combination of these two interests should give a positive result. The most optimal term is the year 2009, the least optimal — 2014, but the one who goes will overpass the way. The role of neighbouring countries, which soon must become EU members (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia), in realization of "Ukraine's European choice".The party I head and I support the thesis, that states, which should soon become EU members, must be guides of our interests and our protectors in persuasion of EU concerning Ukraine's admission to European community. The question is, that they didn't wall up a door, but we permanently could meet them and persuade that we really try to hasten the time of entry into EU. In other words, we rest our hopes upon these countries: that they, having got the suffrage in EU, will defend our interests. At meetings with representatives of these countries I got confirmation, that they are ready for such activity, but we also must give grounds for this activity, realizing certain positive changes (freedom of the press, struggle against corruption etc.). An effective way of Ukraine towards European structures: independently or along with Russia?We are a sovereign state. We have all opportunities, with a certain will of supreme political leadership, to realize this "trip to Europe" on our own, without Russia. Russia can be another step in this direction. But in order to tie us to Russia, there was made a thesis (and there was formed a corresponding structure in parliament) that we should move toward EU along with Russia. This thesis upholds Russian "fifth column", which exists in Ukraine and can't imagine itself in isolation from Russia Today Russia is a belligerent state. And until the war in Chechnya comes to the end, irrespective of results of the latest referendum carried out there, one won't speak, that Russia should take the place in Europe, because it will appear, that there blazes a war at Europe's borders, and all Europe has to participate in extinguishing of this fire. In my opinion, Russia has more problems in democratic development, than Ukraine, that's why we are closer to EU standards. Expecting of the time when Russia gives the regions a corresponding freedom, when the pressure of the centre on autonomies reduces etc., can essentially retard our way to Europe. The problems of visas and migration from Ukraine to EU.This is one of the main problems in the process of joining EU. But if EU is interested, that Ukraine would become its member, then introduction of strict visa practice will do much harm to this. Oncoming generation should see with its own eyes western standards and traditions, and having returned home — tell about them those who haven't been to EU yet. And if the borders are closed and Ukrainians are not able to visit EU countries neither during holidays, nor on business trips, nor for other reasons, it, of course, will isolate us. Construction of a curtain leaves us in the range of vision of the eastern neighbour. I believe that visa regime, nevertheless, will be liberal. Visa barriers won't stop organized crime. We should struggle not against consequences, but against reasons that cause the crime. Getting of visas and penetration into EU territory is a consequence for making of plans about the sale of drugs and people. We are to struggle against the crime that is caused by low level of economic development and closeness of the society. If we overcome these atavisms with EU assistance, then the problem of visas and migration will lose its acuteness. What would you advise to change in the policy of EU concerning Ukraine?Relations between Ukraine and EU should resemble movement towards each other. It should be clear, open and efficient; there shouldn't be just mottos — the mottos must have concrete sense. And then both parties will see, how a partner is interested in realization of these plans. EU must acknowledge Ukraine to be a strategic candidate, to which directed all efforts concerning overcoming of all harm of transition period, and therefore work on carrying out of institutional transformations, which are necessary for fulfilment of all EU requirements to entry. It should be beyond monitoring. If to hand over just to Ukraine without technical assistance for carrying out of changes, then this process will be rather long. If to carry out both these things, then we achieve it quite quickly. I connect great hopes with change of power in 2004, when a new team will meet EU proposals and step-by-step starts realizing everything planned. Today's state and outlook of European business in Ukraine, and Ukrainian business in EU.As a result of activity of our law-enforcement authorities, tax structure and license structure Ukraine has an image of a risky country, which is very dangerous to invest money in. In spite of great need for investment, a few investors come to Ukraine. Businessmen feel more quickly than politicians, that some country is attractive for investment. For this it is necessary to liberalize economy and simplify taxation system, as well as accept organizers of working places with assistance of supreme and municipal state administration. For some reason it is considered today, that since foreign investors have come, we should take maximum of them, and give back the minimum. At he same time it is forgotten, that they feed people, manufacture goods and give money to the pension fund. The change of attitude to an investor should bring about investment boom, as among CIS countries Ukraine has the lowest index of investment per head. Ukrainian businessmen without a positive reputation make the way to foreign markets with much difficulty. However, we have quite many joint ventures. Business itself moves from cramped place to the place, where it is more favourably to start activity. But until the main economic decisions are made openly, European business will not come to Ukraine. Ukraine should provide equal conditions for all investors, irrespective of what is the origin of their capital. Common and differences between Ukraine and "western culture". Is Ukraine a part of the Western World?If the western world had had so much hardship, that Ukraine did, then a question "Would that western world hold out, would it keep its culture to that extent, that Ukraine did?" would have been rhetorical. But Ukraine has stood it. Today's researches prove that there were some of the most ancient civilizations in Ukraine. We have a very rich language with many convertible terms; and it means, that it have been formed during the thousands of years, and we are ancient people on this earth. We can consider ourselves to be a part of western world. Our intelligentsia always aspired to the West. I can be reproached, that Saint-Petersburg Academy of sciences ransomed T. Shevchenko from serfdom, that Gogol wrote in Russian language etc., but the cardinal achievements were made in Prague, Berlin and Vienna colleges, where worked our main scientists. For instance Ivan Franko, who worked at western universities. There are many other examples. The common between us is a consistent priority of panhuman values. Besides, we don't propagate liberalism. Its ideas don't get accustomed in Europe, and in Ukraine predominate more conservative traditions. Cultural differences have been accumulating for years, and I would like very much, that they keep — on household, rite and other levels. Copyright © Fundacja Batorego
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