of
the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mr.Anatoliy ZLENKO
at the international conference "The EU and Ukraine"
Brussels,
24 April 2001
Dear
participants of the Conference,
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
First
of all let me express my gratitude to the organizers and sponsors of this
conference who have made its excellent preparations.
In
fact, by convoking such a representative audience in the political capital of
Europe, they have done half a job for a success of this conference.
The
second half of success, naturally, depends on us.
It
depends on our ability to direct our discussion onto a constructive and creative
course. It depends on our aptitude to find rationale in any ideas, even in those
looking unreal at first sight.
It
is even more so because an informal nature of the forum makes it possible for us
to discuss very frankly the successes, problems and prospects of the relations
between Ukraine and the European Union.
With
your permission, I will try speaking more as a citizen of Ukraine rather than as
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Or,
to be more precise, as a citizen who is well informed about the recent past and
the present of Ukraine's foreign policy.
So,
let us turn in our minds to ten years ago.
We
could witness the collapse of totalitarian systems in Central and Eastern Europe.
Dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw bloc. Rapid democratic changes in
the countries of former socialistic camp.
I
think you will agree with me that regaining by Ukraine of its independence was
not a trivial event among the others.
Moreover,
it is right to say that the Ukrainian referendum of December 1, 1991 put an
effective end to the 70 years history of the Soviet Empire.
In
some 18 months a new face of Europe was hard to recognize.
I
might be wrong, but I have an impression that those events took the Europeans by
surprise.
And
though they managed to quickly overcome initial confusion towards the countries
of Central Europe, not everyone and not at once could believe that independence
of Ukraine is something in earnest and for a good long while.
From
a purely formal point of view the European Union recognized that fact.
However,
nobody was going to discuss - even in theory - the possibility of, say, European
integration of Ukraine.
I
think that the problem was of a different kind: Ukraine just did not fit into
the visions of future EU configuration at that time.
There
were and probably there are still some steady stereotypes. For example:
 |
The
Ukrainians had lived under communist regime for too long to be able to share
the European democratic values; |
|
Ukraine
is an area of special vital interests of Russia. Therefore any attempts to
break this link would ultimately infuriate Moscow, which had already been
stripped of its former influence; |
|
Ukraine
is too bulky to painlessly integrate into the EU. |
|
Finally,
some people consider Ukraine as part of a totally different civilization,
arguing about essential incompatibility of the Ukrainians with Western
European traditions. |
I
could have subscribed to all those statements, had I not seen myself the
destruction of even more viable stereotypes during the last decade.
I
can agree with those who say that Ukraine's destiny was in its own hands, that
had it conducted reforms more decisively and consistently, it would have had
much more arguments for a dialogue with the European Union.
I
sincerely rejoice over our friends and partners in Central Europe, which have
managed to make a powerful economic breakthrough and get really close to EU
accession.
However,
we should not ignore the fact that this success was achieved against the
background of a clear signal from the EU.
A
signal that those nations could count in perspective on their place in the
common European house.
That
unequivocal signal could be heard back in the beginning of the 90s.
Almost
all-European borders were made open for Central Europeans quite soon.
Many
of those raised on communist dogmas were shown the goals worth striving for.
A
trip to Vienna for a common Czech or to Germany for a common Pole has become
ordinary.
Central
Europe was being filled with the spirit of European integration, which gradually
turned into the national idea.
And
what about Ukraine?
Having
proclaimed European integration the priority of its foreign policy, Ukraine
received quite a different answer.
The
countries of Central Europe were told "We shall admit you to the EU as soon
as you have conducted reforms and met the established criteria", while
Ukraine was told "First you have to conduct reforms and meet the criteria,
and only after that we will discuss the possibility of membership".
Most
of the Ukrainian people had at best only theoretical imagination of the goals,
tasks and principles of functioning of the European Union.
In
fact, the things have changed quite little for the Ukrainians who wanted to
visit EU countries.
Earlier
they had to pass through the firm scrutiny of their own security services to
obtain permission to travel abroad, now this function is performed by the strict
Shengen rules.
In
addition, not every Ukrainian citizen can afford to pay quite a considerable for
us sum to obtain a visa.
This
led to the situation when the European integration course was being implemented
at governmental level only.
At
the level of ordinary people there were practically no changes.
What
can we say if the Ukrainians still have no possibility to watch Euronews TV
channel, which is broadcast elsewhere in the whole of Europe.
I
am especially upset about this as a person who used to stand by the origins of
foreign policy of independent Ukraine.
Believe
me, back in 1991 it seemed incredible that we would meet the new millennium
fenced off from Europe by a new curtain, made of paper this time.
I
feel that many of you would like to ask me - has Ukraine done everything itself
to get closer to Europe?
My
answer is unambiguous - no.
By
no means we have done everything we could.
Moreover,
we used to make mistakes even in what we have done.
We
have not always been consistent.
Often
we were hasty.
Even
more often - indecisive.
However,
we have done quite a job, taking into account our starting conditions.
We
have built our state infrastructure almost from the scratch.
We
have established a new and better financial and legislative systems.
We
have preserved inter-ethnic peace and stability.
We
have managed to prevent a seemingly imminent collapse of our economy, more than
half of which used to be serving the military industry of the former USSR.
As
a result, last year the economic reforms in Ukraine started to yield their first
and quite real fruit.
But
I think that the main point is that the latest years saw a crystal clear image
of principally new conditions for the implementation of the European integration
course and a better understanding of it.
European
integration is not only our strategic goal, for which we conduct economic and
political reforms.
It
has become an intrinsic component of a long-term strategy of state development,
a factor, which is both the substance, essence and instrument of reforms.
If
you wish - a means for achieving the goals of national development.
I
hope you would agree that this is a powerful incentive.powerful incentive.
The
favorable conditions are gradually emerging in Ukraine to turn the engine of
European integration into full swing.in Ukraine to turn the engine of European
integration into full swing.
My
country has got a chance today, which probably had not been there since 1991.
At
that time the European express passed the Ukrainian station without slowing down.
We
hope that this time it will be hard for the passengers of Eurotrain to overlook
a modern terminal, though still incomplete, but built with the use of European
standards.
The
active dialogue between Ukraine and the European Union based on key cooperation
documents is under way.
In
this regard I would like to mention that on April 4 the Government of Ukraine
adopted the first Action plan on Implementation of the Program of Ukraine's
Integration into EU for the year 2001.
We
are making advance toward the WTO accession.
We
have intensified our relations with the neighboring countries-candidates to the
EU membership.
I
have just visited the Slovak Republic. A few days ago the Foreign Minister of
Hungary paid a visit to Ukraine.
The
next bilateral contacts on my agenda are the Czech and Bulgarian Foreign
Ministers.
Dear
colleagues,
Recently
I heard criticism here in Brussels and in other European capitals that Ukraine
is excessively and pointlessly active by flooding the European Commission with
unrealistic proposals on broadening cooperation with the EU in various spheres.
I
have nothing to say but admit the sin.
But
it comes to my mind that earlier we were criticized exactly for the lack of
activity and initiative.
I
need not specify the mentioned proposals.
They
are pretty well known in the European Commission.
My
point is that now we have both will and capabilities to develop mutually
beneficial cooperation with the EU.
This
concerns at least such fields as military, security, home affairs,
transportation of energy resources.
We
have some positive experience already.
I
mean our successful cooperation in crisis management at the Macedonian-Yugoslav
border.
However,
it is impossible to engage Ukraine to relevant European programs and strategies
without oncoming steps from the EU.
For
example, the European Union could consider the possibility to extend to Ukraine
some elements of its pre-accession strategy developed for the candidate
countries.
I
believe, Ukraine has all capabilities to be a full-fledged participant in the
realization of a new energy strategy of the European Union.
We
propose to introduce an international mechanism for managing the Ukrainian gas
transportation system and invite strategic investors to participation.
Remember
that Ukraine has unique transit transport networks. It would be a big mistake
for the European countries not to use this opportunity.
By
the way, I discussed the above-mentioned ideas with Mr.Solana during his recent
visit to my country.
We
follow closely in Ukraine the current debates in the EU on a future model of the
Union.
I
have heard many interesting ideas about how to engage as many countries of the
continent as possible to the European integration in foreseeable future.
The
concepts of multi-speed,
multi-level and partial integration are all worthy of most serious consideration.
At
the same time, I cannot but worry about some proposals aimed at sealing the
doors of the EU for certain countries a priori.
The
criteria for identifying "outsiders" are rather vague, but the
approach is quite familiar.
After
all the trials of Europe in the last decade, I wonder about those people who
still believe that stability and security of the EU nations can be ensured by
fortifying their new curtains against the imagined potential sources of tension.
I
believe in the opposite: we can eliminate sources of tension only by bringing
the respective countries and regions in the area of European cooperation and
integration.
By
large, the beginning of the 21st century gives another chance not only to
Ukraine but to the EU as well, to all the Europeans.
The
chance to finally get rid of dividing lines on the continent.
The
chance to build a truly united and indivisible Europe.
Dear
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Charles
de Gaulle once said jokingly: "It will not be any European statesman who
will unite Europe: Europe will be united by the Chinese".
I
think that the undercurrent meaning of these words is that the Europeans must
finally realize that the destiny of Europe depends only on them.
It
depends not only on the current EU member states, but also to a great extent on
those beyond its limits yet.
Already
now we should think about our vision of the continent in, say, fifteen years.
Besides,
while making any decision we should consider it not from yesterday's and not
even today's point of view, but try to look ahead.
Nevertheless,
I remain optimistic.
Therefore
I dare disagree with Charles de Gaulle, whom I hold in deep respect: the
Europeans will unite Europe.
Because,
and this is my deep conviction, a house must be built by those who are to live
in it.
Thank
you for your attention.