The discussion was interesting and at one point someone asked me: Why
does Europe need Ukraine? At first I was surprised, as the answer
seems so clear to me, but then Mark Twain’s remark on Wagner’s music
came into my mind. This question is also “not as bad as it
sounds”. Why does Europe need Ukraine? And why
does Ukraine need Europe?
Of
course, one always can repeat the obvious: Ukraine is an important
economic partner,
a source of energy security, a bridge to Russia. And certainly, given
its territorial size, its geographic position, its 46 million
population and its role as the main transit state for Russian oil and
gas exports to Central and Western Europe, Ukraine is critical to
European security.
But
let us stop here for a moment and look at the map. Ukraine is not
only one of the biggest neighbours of the European Union. It borders
directly on four EU Member States: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and
Romania.
It never rains on your neighbours without you getting your
feet wet as the Chinese say and I think it is very true also when we
are talking about relations between countries. So, it is quite
natural for Europeans to aspire to expanding European, democratic
values to their neighbours and, in particular, Ukraine.
If
we further study the map we can also see that there are only two
places in Europe, where in a narrow circle of roughly 100 kilometres
as many as five states meet. The other one is around Luxembourg with
Germany, France and the Benelux countries bordering each other. The
exact place, where the European Union was born.
In the case of
Ukraine we have a similar geographic situation. So why not use all
this as a birthplace of a new Ukraine,
a
new extension of a European integration?
The
EU Delegation to Ukraine was opened 20 years ago. Relations between
the EU and Ukraine have dramatically intensified during the last
decade. Today Ukraine stands at a critical crossroad between
developing a more open society increasingly integrated into the
European space of democracy, prosperity and market-based economics
grounded in respect for human rights and the rule of law, or an
increasingly autocratic system, mired in the economic stagnation and
political instability that is historically characteristic of Europe’s
borderlands.
The choice is straightforward: Ukraine can either join
the European mainstream or remain in a grey zone of insecurity
between Europe and Russia.
The choice is straightforward: Ukraine can either join the European mainstream or remain in a grey zone of insecurity between Europe and Russia.— Jan Tombinski, EU Ambassador to Ukraine
In recent years the
authorities in Ukraine – both the government and parliament – have
repeatedly confirmed their choice of the European way. European
integration is one of the most important political and economic
priorities. Right at the moment we are just a step away from
realizing the major goal of signing the Association Agreement. But
this step seems to be a difficult one.
Though we note the progress
being made in the implementation of reforms in Ukraine, there are
still important elements – such as judicial reform, electoral law
or a solution to Yulia Tymoshenko’s case – that are missing. The
clock is ticking; we have less than three months left until the Vilnius
Summit.
So, why should Ukraine make an effort?
First
of all, because the Association Agreement offers a unique opportunity
to Ukraine. This opportunity will positively affect many aspects of
day-to-day life for all businesses and citizens. The
European Union is here to continue to support Ukraine and
its citizens in their reform efforts.
The signature and implementation of the AA/DCFTA will completely
revolutionise not only the economic, trade and investment
relationship between Ukraine and the EU but the whole administrative
and economic landscape of the country.
It is the most ambitious
bilateral agreement that the EU has ever negotiated. It will not only
open up our mutual markets by removing and reducing tariffs and
quotas; it will also result in an extensive harmonisation of laws,
norms and regulations across all economic sectors with European
standards. This will boost investors’ trust in Ukraine.
We
are convinced that over time, the agreement will lead to higher
productivity, higher wages and growth, together with new employment
opportunities.
Thanks to this agreement Ukrainian manufacturers will be able to
compete effectively and win a place in the European market, find
their niche and promote high-quality Ukrainian products – at a good
price.
Domestic consumers, in turn, will have access to high-quality
European goods in Ukraine at lower prices. Just take the example of
Poland, the country I know best. Twenty years ago Poland’s GDP was the
same as Ukraine’s. Today it is twice as much.
Increased “people-to-people” contacts are
also a way to reinforce and cement our relations and our shared
goals. Already Ukraine is attracting more and more international
visitors, and it is my firm hope that mobility of
Ukrainian citizens travelling to the EU will be further
increased through successful implementation of the Visa
Liberalization Action Plan we are currently working on together.
Twenty
two years of independence constitute a historical achievement for
Ukraine. Now the time comes to find the best way to strengthen the
state by institutional and economic reforms and to respond to the
expectations of future generations.
Of
course, the early years of adaptation may be difficult in some areas.
This is not surprising, because systemic transformations inevitably
lead to short-term losses for some, and even to struggle for economic
survival for some sectors currently protected from competition.
But
this is a struggle, where the citizens of Ukraine, its economy and
the country as a whole will be the winners as the resources currently
tied up in those inefficient, uncompetitive sectors are released to
higher value-added uses elsewhere in the economy. The Associatoin
Agreement allows transitional periods for the most sensitive sectors
of the Ukrainian economy to give the necessary time for this
adaptation.
By
concluding the Agreement, Ukraine declares its determination to make
a fundamental step-change: from a post-Soviet country, to a state
that is an integral part of Europe. At
the same time the Association Agreement is just a tool. A
toolbox for reform. It is not the end, only the beginning of
Ukraine’s journey to achieving its potential. There is a lot
of hard work still to do.
Rule of law, the fight against corruption,
independence of the judiciary and free media are all good examples of
areas requiring attention. The
European Union is much more than an economic community. It is a
community of shared values and these
values are at the basis of the long-term relations the EU wants to
establish with Ukraine.
Nobody says that it will be easy. But,
Association is the interest of both Ukraine and Europe. We are
neighbours and I am sure that at the end of this road we will be
stronger together.
Jan Tombiński is the EU ambassador to Ukraine.
