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 EU neighbors. It borders directly on four of the 28 EU member states: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.
It never rains on your neighbors 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 neighbors 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 kilometers 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 EU 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.
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 (imprisoned ex-Prime Minister) 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 EU is here to continue to support Ukraine and its citizens in their reform efforts. The signature and implementation of the AA/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement will completely revolutionize 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 harmonization 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 agree ment 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 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. This will come as resources tied up in inefficient, uncompetitive sectors are released to higher value-added uses elsewhere in the economy. The Association 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 EU 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, the association is the interest of both Ukraine and Europe. We are neighbors and I am sure that at the end of this road we will be stronger together.
Jan Tombinski is the European Union ambassador to Ukraine.
