wnetrze Ukraina 3vers.

Transcription

EUROPE – UKRAINE FORUM
EUROPE – UKRAINE FO
EUROP
EUROPE – UKRAIN
EUROPE – UKRAINE
FORUM
WROC¸AW, POLAND
FEBRUARY, 23-24, 2007
WROC¸AW, POLAND
FEBRUARY, 23-24, 2007
Partner
Organizer
EASTERN INSTITUTE
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Text and Concept
Artur Negri
Graphic Design
Odra Creative Bridge
English Translation
Marek Niedêwiecki
Piotr Wilk, PTS-Professional Translation Services
Photographs
Archives of the Eastern Institute
Publisher / Forum Organizer
Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies (Eastern Institute)
ul. Solec 85
00-382 Warszawa
Tel.: + 48 22 583 11 00
Fax.: + 48 22 583 11 50
e-mail: [email protected]
www.forum-ekonomiczne.pl
Warsaw 2007
© Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies
ISBN
83 60172-90-0
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Preface
Zygmunt Berdychowski
Chairman of the Economic Forum
Programme Council
(from the left)
Rafa∏ Dutkiewicz
Mayor of City Hall of Wroc∏aw
Europe – Ukraine Forum is a part of the Economic Forum’s agenda, which is held annually in
Krynica. To elaborate on the debates held in Krynica at greater length, the Eastern Institute organizes special conferences which are dedicated to individual subjects and attended by prominent decision-makers and experts.
Ukraine is an important element of the European political stage. Political and economic changes,
which take place in Europe are of essence for development of a lasting political and economic map
of Europe. Nevertheless, Ukrainian policy is at many times hardly comprehensible for the outside
observers of political life. Consequent changes of the governments entail changes both in the
aspects of foreign policy and in the directions of the economic reforms. Explicitly pro-Western and
pro-European declarations of the Orange coalition government has been replaced with more sceptical declarations of joining NATO and the EU accession.
Ukraine is an immensely important economic partner of Europe. Its territory is crossed with a majority of gas and oil pipelines from Russia to Europe. The situation in Ukraine is significant for the energy security of Europe. Ukraine is characterized by an enormous economic potential and no less
considerable growth potential. All these factors bring Ukraine to a closer focus of foreign investors.
At the same time, Ukrainian investors enter the European markets. The system of economic relations is becoming increasingly tight. Ukrainian economy is passing through a stage of system transformation and the questions of the circumstances of this transformation are becoming increasingly
important.
Europe – Ukraine Forum in Wroc∏aw was the place of the largest and the most representative meeting of Ukrainian and European politicians, after the Orange Revolution. The meeting was attend-
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ed by more than 180 politicians, scientists and experts, including 40 members of parliament from Europe, 18 of whom came from Ukraine. Ukrainian politicians represented
the entire scope of Ukrainian political stage. They included representatives of the governing coalition as well as the opposition parties. The discussions were participated by
outstanding experts from Europe and the United States so as to portray the present political and social circumstances more thoroughly. In spite of discrepancies, Ukrainian politicians stressed the relevance of pro-Western and pro-Union direction of Ukrainian policy
and expressed hope for a clear signal of readiness to accept Ukraine in the European
Union.
Political and social debates were accompanied by discussions on transformation and
phenomena of the economic life. Ukrainian economy is developing and changing in a
very dynamic manner. How is the economy changing? How is it related to or even entangled in politics? Is it possible and if yes then how to fight the corruption? – these and similar questions were asked and tried to be answered. A debate on the energy security of
Europe and the role of Ukraine touched the fields of politics and economy.
What is the political landscape of Ukraine? The key players, interests, mutual relations.
Positive and negative results of political reforms. Ukraine and the unifying Europe in the
times of civilization, political, social and cultural transformation processes. Internal and
external factors providing basis for Euro-integration strategy of Ukraine. Possibility of
membership and association with the EU and the adoption of “EU neighbour” status.
Ukraine - between NATO and Russia: Search for optimal model of regional security. The
analysis of the course of transformation, market system reforms and institutional reforms
in Ukraine. The role of Ukraine in assuring stability in the region. Influence of current
economic circumstances on economic, social and political development of Ukraine.
What principles and what instruments may be applied in building a civil society in
Ukraine? Impact of European standards and values on shaping democracy, government
system effectiveness and the civil society. Europe Ukraine Forum was devoted the above
and similar issues.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Preface
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Ukraine in integrating Europe
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Ukrainian Economy and the EU: Partner or Burden?
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Organizer
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Partner
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MISSION OF THE FORUM
To build a favourable climate for the development of political and economic cooperation among the states of the European Union and their neighbours.
In carrying out its mission, the Forum is independent and impartial.
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
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UKRAINE
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Debates:
● Is Ukraine a part of Europe? Between history, present day and future
● European Union and Ukraine: between solidarity and game of interests
● EU integration instruments for Ukraine
● Political Ukraine 2006. Two years after the Orange Revolution
● NATO and Ukraine. Contemporary and future scenarios
● The status and perspectives on advancement of democracy in Ukraine.
● Democratization as a way to Europe
EUROPE
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UKRAINE
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UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
FORUM
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Natalia Prokopovych, Chairman of the EU Integration Committee, Parliament of Ukraine
Thanks to the Orange Revolution, Ukraine has entered on a different, new path. Today,
the country is experiencing an entirely different level of democratic relations. The mass
media enjoy the liberty of representing their views and opinions about the political situation in Ukraine. “A strong influence is the spirit of self-confidence; trust in the strength of
our citizens, who nowadays have a completely different attitude towards the authorities
and themselves. Today, their behaviour is radically different;, they are no longer passive,”
commented Natalia Prokopovych, Chairman of the EU Integration Committee in the
Parliament of Ukraine.
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Plenary session: “Ukraine and the European Integration”
How should we act in the European Union to become closer to Ukraine and give it a
chance? What do Ukrainians expect from us? What signals should both parties – Ukraine
and the European Union – send to each other?
Ukrainian society is as much as 90% in favour of Ukraine’s integration with the European
Union. Why are Ukrainian citizens so positive about membership of the European Union?
According to Propokovych, the motivations are historical, because Ukraine has always
been a part of Europe, and besides that, the Ukrainian mentality is similar to the mentality of the EU societies. “Today, we have the sense that thanks to visits by EU citizens to
our country and our visits to the EU, our societies are mutually enriched. When we hear
that a priority for Ukraine should not be the European Union, but Euro-Asia, it is not
acceptable for the citizens of Ukraine.”
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Today’s Ukraine, three years after the Orange Revolution, is a different country than in
the past, because it has followed a proper direction. Jerzy Buzek, MEP and former Prime
Minister of Poland, thinks that: “It is pointless talking about either the Blue or the Orange
camp as the winner, it does not matter. What’s most important is the final effect. It means
a safe and stable Ukraine approaching the European Union, because it is a chance for
modernizing the country and carrying out difficult reforms, which can give Ukraine a
chance for advancement. It can also improve security and the overall situation in the
European Union. The European Union is very interested in a stable, democratic and
developing Ukraine.”
Leonid Kozhara, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament
of Ukraine, is a representative of the Regions Party, the biggest faction in parliament with
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186 deputies. The Regions Party
is also the biggest group in the
governing coalition of Ukraine,
consisting of three parties: socialists, communists and, precisely, the regions. Kozhara
stressed that Europe has
expressed its acceptance of the
Orange Revolution. Nevertheless,
after having received applause
in many parts of the world,
Ukraine has not succeeded in
taking full advantage of this historical opportunity.
“We have overestimated our
capabilities. We thought that the
victory of the Orange Revolution
in Ukraine would imply the
treatment of Ukraine by Europe
Maciej P∏a˝yƒski, Vice-Chairman of Senat, Poland
and the rest of the Western
Hemisphere as other Eastern European countries. It was expected that Ukraine would be
granted a more advanced status than it had before the Orange Revolution. I think also
that the new team led by President Yushchenko to power has not been able to realize the
leading concepts underpinning the Orange Revolution,” said Kozhara, who added:
“I observed all the processes experienced by us directly after the revolution and sometimes I could not believe that they were happening in Ukraine.” He also commented on
the action plan, prepared with President Kutchma, and including 274 obligations.
A major part of these obligations, around 80%, are unilateral obligations on the part of
Ukraine. A further 15% are bilateral commitments by Ukraine and the European Union,
and just 5% are unilateral commitments by the European Union.
Natalia Prokopovych
Chairman of the EU Integration Committee in
Parliament of Ukraine.
The proposals put forward by the European Union to the
neighbour countries, within the scope of the new neighbourhood policy, are no longer the same tasks that would
satisfy our ambitions, because we have already left those
tasks behind. Within the coming year, all of them will be
fulfilled. Therefore, we propose to enlarge the propositions for Ukraine, because the current form of the agreement on the neighbourhood policy signifies for us only
that the framework is delimited, and thus it does not
bring in anything new. I would like to focus also on the
fact that Ukraine has continued to be – and everyone
speaks about it – a strategic partner of the European
Union, which implies that special programmes should be
prepared for such countries, which include not only
Ukraine but also Georgia.
Since the early days of its independence, Ukraine has stated
that it is pro-European. In the
middle of the 1990s it also stated that it wanted to be a member of the European Union, and
since that time political declarations and changes in the legislation followed the direction of
European integration. Later,
however, when the European
Union announced a new neighbourhood policy, Ukraine joined the company of such countries as Algeria, Tunisia, Israel
and many others, which have
never expressed any European
aspirations. In such a situation,
many Ukrainians were disappointed. They had expected much
stronger political declarations on
the part of the European Union.
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Adrian Severin, Chairman of the EU-Ukraine Delegation of the European Parliament, Romania
The Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Ukraine
stressed that the European Union does not yet want to discuss the methods and measures required to affiliate Ukraine
with the European Union. It
Jerzy Buzek
means, according to Kozhara,
that a document will be preMEP and former Prime Minister of Poland
pared, similar to the action plan
that is currently in force. And it
It is pointless talking about either the Blue or the Orange
is, therefore, again a unilateral
camp as the winner, it does not matter. What’s most
commitment on the part of
important is the final effect. It means a safe and stable
Ukraine obliging the county to
Ukraine approaching the European Union, because it is
adopt a significant volume of
a chance for modernizing the country and carrying out
legislation, introduce various
difficult reforms, which can give Ukraine a chance for
mechanisms, and so on.
advancement. It can also improve security and the over“Frankly speaking, it might
all situation in the European Union. The European
respond to governmental strategy. We do not need any other
Union is very interested in a stable, democratic and
documents on our political and
developing Ukraine.
economic reforms. We would
like to hear stronger political
statements. Task number one for us is to receive confirmation from the European Union
that the door is still open and that the accession of Ukraine to the European Union will
become more and more certain with each passing day,” stated Kozhara.
Ukraine still has a year to fulfil the commitments arising from its cooperation with the
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Bohdan Osadchuk, Free University, Berlin
European Union, pointed out Natalia Prokopovych. What awaits Ukraine in the near
future, then? First of all, there is an agreement on partnership and cooperation, which is
being prepared this year. It is possible that work on this document could be prolonged
until some time next year. “Our primary concern is that such an agreement should have
much wider scope than the previous one. Secondly, such an agreement should necessarily include the period in which it is in force; because if this is an open-ended agreement,
it will not be a sufficient motivation for either the EU or Ukraine. We would like to include
in this agreement a proposition for Ukraine concerning associate membership and economic integration, so that in spite of everything we can cooperate more specifically in certain areas,” said the Chairman of the EU Integration Committee in the Parliament of
Ukraine.
Leonid Kozhara
Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee in
Parliament of Ukraine
We would like to hear stronger political statements from
the EU. Task number one for us is to receive confirmation from the European Union that the door is still open
and that the accession of Ukraine to the European Union
will become more and more certain with each passing
day.
Prokopovych
stated
that
Ukraine is not satisfied with the
neighbourhood policy. “The
ambitions of Ukraine were not
fulfilled by the proposals put forward by the EU. The proposals
put forward by the European
Union to the neighbour countries, within the scope of the new
neighbourhood policy, are no
longer the same tasks that
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Jerzy Buzek, MEP, former Prime Minister of Poland
Dmytro Vydrin, Chairman, Committee for Global Security, Parliament of Ukraine
would satisfy our ambitions, because we have already left those tasks behind. Within the
coming year, all of them will be fulfilled. Therefore, we propose to enlarge the propositions for Ukraine, because the current form of the agreement on the neighbourhood policy signifies for us only that the
framework is delimited, and thus
it does not bring in anything
Adrian Severin
new. I would like to focus also
Designated Chairman of the EU-Ukraine Delegation of
on the fact that Ukraine has conthe European Parliament
tinued to be – and everyone
speaks about it – a strategic
We need a pro-Ukrainian government in Kiev. A propartner of the European Union,
Ukrainian government means that it is pro-European and
which implies that special proit also denotes being pro-democratic and pro-developgrammes should be prepared
ment.”
for such countries, which include
not only Ukraine but also
Georgia.” Propokopovych also
stressed that in the European neighbourhood policy there are economic mechanisms,
which are particularly interesting for Ukraine. Ukraine will follow this direction.
“Stability, security and prosperity for Ukraine are key to the stability, security and global
role of the European Union. For some people this might seem obvious, while others think
that it has already been proven. Yet for others it is just a simple hypothesis, which still
needs to be proven,” said Adrian Severin, Chairman-designate of the EU-Ukraine
Delegation at the European Parliament, who added that: “We need a pro-Ukrainian government in Kiev. A pro-Ukrainian government means that it is pro-European and it also
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denotes being pro-democratic
and pro-development.”
The European Union, according to Severin, currently faces a
crisis of vision and also an
institutional crisis. We should
look more realistically at this
crisis. As long as the European
Union will have no vision and
no concept for effective institutional functioning, its member
states will have difficulties in
approaching relations with
Ukraine with common sense.
Hence the EU strives for reforms
and progress in Ukraine.
Severin thinks that we should be
aware that the European identity should permit it to take on the
role of a global player. If we
really want to be global actors,
starting from the philosophy
Leonid Kozhara, Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee, Parliament of Ukraine
and the position of the European Union’s founding fathers, then we should strive for such market types, structures
and resource levels that allow us to compete with other global players. How can we pursue such a market, if we do not consider Ukraine a part of it? Severin cannot see any
significant progress in this strategy without the integration of Ukraine into the EU’s energy sector. How can we harmonize the economic development policy of Ukraine and the
European Union? We cannot in fact develop such a policy without having common security and foreign policies. The faster we strengthen institutional reforms, to overcome not
just the crisis of vision and identity but also the institutional crisis in the EU, the faster we
will be able to move on to the
next steps in the integration
process.
Maciej Pæaøy¡ski
Vice-Chairman of Polish Senate
According to Severin, we should
start with real and significant
Poland supports the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of
agreement on extended coopUkraine. Poland will be trying to influence Europe’s easteration and harmonization with
ern policy.
Ukraine. This agreement should
be much more balanced. The
European Union cannot proceed with the same approach, the same path, in its attempts to integrate Ukraine, whatever such integration means, as with the other member states, or new members such as
Romania. A unilateral approach that does not involve society, when we speak about the
common character of this project, is not an approach that can mobilize the full potential
of both sides. The next step in this integration should be to share everything, except institutions. And in the end, we should be looking at methods that allow both of us to make
use of the majority of institutions, if not all of them.
“Poland supports the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine,” stated Maciej P∏a˝yƒski, ViceChairman of the Polish Senate, who declared at the same time: “Poland will be trying to
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Oleksiy Haran, National University
Kiev-Mohyla Academy, Ukraine
Bogumi∏a Berdychowska, PolishUkrainian Forum
Karl Freund, OVP, Parliament of Austria
influence Europe’s eastern policy, but it will certainly not formulate it individually.”
P∏a˝yƒskii emphasized also that the European Union, as a large organization, will soon
have to make order in its own ranks so as to handle institutional reforms, and elaborate
common policies in a different scope, even as regards the issue of energy policy.
Cooperation with such countries as Ukraine falls within this scope.
“When I arrive in the United States and I hear that the fastest way to Europe is by membership of NATO, I can understand that. However, when I
arrive in Germany, high-ranking
Dmytro Vydrin
German officials say to me:
Chairman, Committee for Global Security in Parliament
‘Why do you need NATO; let us
of Ukraine.
better create other structures,
and follow directly the way to
When I arrive in the United States and I hear that the
the European Union. The way
fastest way to Europe is by membership of NATO, I can
through NATO is not the best
understand that. However, when I arrive in Germany,
way.’ Therefore, when we have
high-ranking German officials say to me: ‘Why do you
to deal with such discrepancies,
need NATO; let us better create other structures, and foleven as someone who has dealt
with these issues for more than
low directly the way to the European Union. The way
twenty years, I am disoriented as
through NATO is not the best way.’ Therefore, when we
to which model is the most
have to deal with such discrepancies, even as someone
effective, which way seems the
who has dealt with these issues for more than twenty
most forward thinking for
years, I am disoriented as to which model is the most
Ukraine,” reflected Dmytro
effective, which way seems the most forward thinking for
Vydrin, Chairman of the
Ukraine.
Committee for Global Security
in the Ukrainian Parliament.
According to Vydrina, several focuses of soft sabotage have emerged in Ukraine.
Principally, there is the powerful oligarchic business, which has become accustomed to
work offstage, perhaps not in the shadow economy, but offstage in the sense of exhibiting a fear of applying transparent accounting, since it is believed to bring only harm. It
is also a part of society that is accustomed to receiving their pay in envelopes, for fear
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Debate: EU Instruments and Policies towards Ukraine
that transparent ways of paying their salaries will mean they lose out. There is also a section of the political elite that is accustomed to unclear so-called political technologies,
thanks to which they win elections, including the most recent ones. How can we together convince the internal soft sabotage groups and different social strata that accession to
the European Union is not a threat to the quality of life in Ukraine, or a threat to the internal, national goals of Ukraine?
Is Eastern Europe the same Europe as Western Europe, asked Yury Ruban, Director of the
National Institute for Strategic Studies from Ukraine. In his opinion, Eastern Europe was
invented by intellectual thought
in the XVIII century, which introduced the famous division of
Yury Ruban
states into historical and nonDirector, the National Institute for Strategic Studies,
historical, a division that was
Ukraine
supported by the view that the
lands east of the Oder were not
Ukraine is also challenged by energy configurations in
entirely genuine Europe. Yalta
the contemporary world, which challenge the country’s
confirmed this view. “Therefore
ability to incorporate its energy security within the Eurowe understand the position of
pean context. This is also a challenge for the EU and its
Ukraine, as a present neighbour
of the European Union, which
ability to see Ukraine in this context. Would energy secuhas a better understanding of
rity be decisive to Ukraine’s integration with the EU?
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Milan Horacek, European Parliament, Germany
other EU member states, on the effects that are brought by division into real and unreal
members. I would like to point out that values lie at the very foundations of Europe. It is
a sphere of common values preserved by the European nations.
I hope that it is already not
Bohdan Osadchuk
regarded as indecent after the
Free University in Berlin
Orange Revolution to deliberate
whether Ukrainians are followIt is good that Ukraine is not just Orthodox, but has also
ers of liberty and democratic
values.”
a Catholic part. The connection between the Greek
Orthodox Church and Rome, the papacy, is a powerful
A whole series of facts testify to
enrichment of Ukrainians’ spiritual lives. Apart from the
the European identity of
Greek Orthodox Church there is also the Ukrainian
Ukrainians. Public opinion polls
Roman Catholic Church. There is also a Protestant presshow unanimously that 90% of
ence. This religious divergence is very positive, and cerUkraine’s citizens see the future
tainly not just a negative phenomenon.
development of their country
only in terms of the advancement of democracy. Ukrainians
have expressed this opinion also at the ballot box. Ukrainian citizens are convinced that
the winners in elections will be forces declaring the European choice of Ukraine. The values that underpin the European identity are very strong among younger generations of
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Emmanuelis Zingeris, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Neighborhood Policy, Parliament of Lithuania
Ukrainians. Within the past few years Ukraine has experienced the disappearance of the
identity that was once called a Soviet identity. The number of people who identify with the
former Soviet Union has decreased, while more and more of Ukraine’s citizens have
identified
with
Ukraine.
Increasing
numbers
of
Ukrainian citizens are saying
Oleksiy Haran
that Ukrainian identity, indeNational University Kiev-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine
pendence and democracy are
significant, and the important
The Orange Revolution proved that we are a part of
values regarded by them are
Europe, we share its values. The problem is that democworth defending and fighting
racy made a joke of democrats, because its opponents
for.
gained more from democracy than the democrats themselves.
The European identity manifested by Ukraine and the caution
shown by European governments in recognizing Ukraine as a European state are reviving a concept about Europe
that was seemingly no longer existent, and which comprises two elements. Many
European capitals are tempted to divide Europe again into European and “semiEuropean”, or a second-class Europe. The very fact that today’s Ukrainian identity is
based on a civil society is worthy of appreciation and support from the European Union.
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According to Ruban, we have to
deal here with a certain paradox. First there is a programme
of negotiations on simplifying
the visa regime, which concerns
simplifying the bureaucratic visa
procedures. Yet, integration for
the future Ukrainian elite – its
students – is not facilitated within this scope. So Ukraine is
restricted in joining the
European intellectual mainstream.
Ruban also drew attention to the
negative processes that have an
influence on bringing Ukraine
closer to Europe through accession to the European Union. He
recalled a vote by the Supreme
Yury Shcherbak, Director, Center for Global and Area
Studies, National University Kiev-Mohyla Academy, Ukraine
Council of Ukraine, which recognized the great famine in
Ukraine as a crime. This vote was significant because Ukraine underlined in it what the
great famine meant for the country. Many millions of people died, because they were not
ready to abandon values that were fundamental to contemporary Europe. They decided
to resign from the primacy of the collective interest for the benefit of individual interests.
They were not ready to consent to the state’s right to deprive them of their daily bread
just because the state needed grain. Recognition of this fact at the political level is proof
that there is an identity. We are
witnessing a process of restoring
European identity, although it is
Bogumiæa Berdychowska
quite complex.
Polish-Ukrainian Forum
Ukraine is also challenged by
energy configurations in the
contemporary world, which
challenge the country’s ability to
incorporate its energy security
within the European context.
This is also a challenge for the
EU and its ability to see Ukraine
in this context. Ruban also considered the question of whether
energy security would be decisive to Ukraine’s integration
with the EU.
Ukrainian society holds a European as well as a EuroAsian passport. One cannot be blind to a few hundred
years of Ukraine’s joint statehood with Russia, or to the
influence of the Orthodox Church with its clearly antiWestern and anti-European accent. All this exists. I
think, by the way, that pro-European Ukrainian circles
are short-sighted in that they do not see the fact that
beside politics, beside the Russian influence, there is a
problem with making a precise geopolitical choice within
Ukrainian society, which results in the effectiveness of
the influence of the pro-European elite on their own society, being impaired.
Bohdan Osadchuk from the
Free University in Berlin pointed
out that Ukraine was already a part of Europe at the time of Kiev Russia. It was part of
Byzantine culture and spirituality, and at the same time it was connected by dynastic
bonds with many countries and dynasties in Europe. In fact, Europe was dynastic at that
time. Kiev’s sovereigns were connected with the royal houses of both France and
Scandinavia, and with those of the separate parts of Germany. Osadchuk emphasized
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also that territorial divisions
caused by various forms of
Ukraine’s enslavement led to a
situation that was so strange that
it could be called critical and
tragic, and at the same time precious. Territorial divisions resulted in great parts of Ukraine’s
territory becoming parts of
another part of Europe, not the
eastern, but the western one.
Thanks to its ties with the
Habsburgs,
Galicia
was
connected
with
Vienna.
Zakarpathia, after World War I,
belonged to Czechoslovakia
and experienced a period of
democracy. Ukrainian parties
have never been as numerous as
in Zakarpathia in the 1920s and
30s.
Oleh Rybachuk, Office of the President of Ukraine
Religious differences are also
regarded as important by
Osadchuk. In his opinion, it is good that Ukraine is not just Orthodox, but has also a
Catholic part. The connection between the Greek Orthodox Church and Rome, the
papacy, is a powerful enrichment of Ukrainians’ spiritual lives. Today, the situation is even
more diverse because apart from the Greek Orthodox Church there is also – and very
few people know about it – the Ukrainian Roman Catholic Church. The hierarchy of this
Church, which cherishes different values, is now being built up in competition with the
Greek Orthodox Church. There
is also a Protestant presence.
This religious divergence is very
Cornelius Ochmann
positive, and certainly not just a
Bertelsmann Stiftung, Germany
negative phenomenon.
In Germany but not only there, in the European Union as
well, there is a huge problem of understanding why
Poland supports Ukraine’s aspirations to the European
Union so fiercely and uncompromisingly. In Berlin, we
often use arguments of economic nature, which are arguments against excessively fast accession of Ukraine to the
European Union.
After World War I, the first iron
curtain in history was closed
along the western border of
Ukraine and the eastern border
of Poland, observed Osadchuk.
France demanded the setting up
of a “cordon-sanitaire”, and the
system, which Poland was subordinated to, separated Ukraine
from Europe. As a matter of fact, the only opportunities for Ukraine’s intellectuals, writers, poets and painters layd in emigrating to Germany. And this happened because in
Rapallo, located close to Genoa, Weimar Germany signed with Soviet Russia a 1921
treaty, which was later on also signed by Ukraine. Soviet Ukraine had its legation in
Berlin. Contacts between the Weimar Republic and Soviet Ukraine were very intense.
This, according to Osadchuk was the only avenue for maintaining relations with Europe.
Poland cancelled virtually all contacts with the then capital in Kharkov. In 1934, the capital was moved to Kiev, but by that time the Stalinist shadow had fallen over Ukraine and,
almost simultaneously, a Nazi shadow over Germany. Something very unpleasant and
25
Yury Ruban, Director, The National
Institute for Strategic Studies, Ukraine
John O’Brennan, Lecturer, University
of Limerick, Ireland
Andras Barsony, Ambassador of
Hungary to Ukraine
tragic happened at this time. Elements of a fascist oriented emigration collaborated with
Nazi Germany, while other emigrants refused to surrender. “We left World War II behind
with a terrible, dangerous centre of Polish-Ukrainian conflict, connected with the Volhynia
massacre. Both Poles and Ukrainians were filled with thoughts of revenge. One group of
emigrants and another, with few
exceptions, dreamt of a World
War III that would sweep away
Oleh Rybachuk
communism and settle our borOffice of the President of Ukraine
der disputes. Some wanted to
Can Ukraine act as a solidary partner if in accordance
move the post-Yalta borders to
with the decision of the European Union if has been
the east, and others to the
ranked in one category with Northern African and
west,” said Bohdan Osadchuk.
Middle East states and our citizens today queue for visas,
although we understand that it might be simplified? How
can Ukraine, which is not the EU member, embrace the
principle of the European solidarity, when all the EU
members show considerable discrepancies on such issues
as the energy security, EU enlargement, relationships
with the United States, attitude towards NATO or
towards the Russian Federation? With whom should
Ukraine sympathize? How Ukraine should react to such
projects as the Northern Pipeline on the bottom of Baltic
Sea? Should it advocate its supporters or toe the line of
its critics?
Oleksiy Haran from National
University Kiev-Mohyla Academy
in Ukraine remarked that: “The
Orange Revolution proved that
we are a part of Europe, we
share its values. The problem is
that democracy made a joke of
democrats, because its opponents gained more from
democracy than the democrats
themselves.” According to Haran,
the problem is that the opponents of the orange forces have
benefited not just from democracy. They can also refer, for example, to the institutions of law. However, it is important
if these forms of behaviour are also followed by democratic content. The problem may
also consist in that, behind a certain democratic cover, we can encounter also entirely
undemocratic content. This is one of the dangers that Ukrainian society has to face today.
Haran also referred to historical experience and the experiences of Eastern European revolutions, which proved after ’89 that the current situation in Ukraine is not unique. Many
26
Debate: Ukraine in 2006. Two years after the Orange Revolution
countries from Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet territory are also experiencing successes, and later it turns out that in coming to power the democratic forces were superseded by undemocratic ones. However, this does not nullify or deny the trend that is prevailing in Ukraine at present. After all, it is a direction of moving towards Europe, despite
all the complications that appear on the way.
Another interesting issue is Russia’s attitude to Ukraine. We have, in this case, to deal with
two Russias. “I saw not long ago a programme by Gleb Pavlovski on the NTV channel.
The language used in this broadcast was not suitable to be repeated in decent company.
Thus, I think that a European Ukraine is not something Mr Pavlovski, Mr. Putin and his
entourage, need. Meanwhile Arkadi Mozes convincingly indicated the necessity for
Ukraine to be a member of the
European Union. I think that it is
the view of liberal Russia, which
Aleksander Sushko
is in a minority today. Liberal
Director of the Centre for Peace, Conversion, and
Russia needs Ukraine, because
Foreign Policy in Ukraine
its accession opens new
prospects for Russia.”
I am astonished by the idea that Ukraine should develop
its alliance with Belarus. We even should not think about
it, not to mention it is not in line with the European
Union policy.
“Ukrainian society holds a
European as well as a EuroAsian passport. The speakers
27
emphasized the European passport, but one cannot be blind to a few hundred years of
Ukraine’s joint statehood with Russia, or to the influence of the Orthodox Church with its
clearly anti-Western and anti-European accent. All this exists. I think, by the way, that proEuropean Ukrainian circles are short-sighted in that they do not see the fact that beside
politics, beside the Russian influence, there is a problem with making a precise geopolitical choice within Ukrainian society, which results in the effectiveness of the influence of
the pro-European elite on their own society, being impaired,” stated Bogumi∏a
Berdychowska from the Polish-Ukrainian Forum.
In her opinion, statehood is the most important value for Ukrainians at present. It is the
value that is most unifying for the east and the west of the country; however, a Ukrainian
patriot can express anti-European opinions. A Ukrainian patriot, as someone who
regards the Ukrainian state as a value, can also think that the future of Ukraine is in the
Euro-Asian community or in close cooperation with Russia. “The main question for
Ukrainian society is which passport the society will choose to hold; the European or the
Euro-Asian passport. It is not obvious which political option is currently adhered to by
Ukrainian society. We can find in Ukrainian society proof of both theses, one that the society is pro-European and one that it is anti-European, or in other words, regards Europe
as a threat.”
For Berdychowska, religious issues are extremely important and underestimated, but in a
cultural and not a confessional context. She also pointed to the “bon motu”, whose
author is President Lukashenko and who, when asked who he is, answered that he is an
Orthodox atheist. According to Berdychowska, Orthodox atheists constitute a very large
part of both the electorate and Ukrainian society. The question: To what extent, how and
who belongs to this group, which in a natural way inherits, with the cultural, Orthodox
code, a certain reluctance, if not fear, and sometimes even a very negative attitude, to
everything that emanates from the West. Berdychowska was surprised to read the official
website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev patriarchate, one of the biggest
and the only canonical, Orthodox Churches and in the formal sense still the biggest
Orthodox Church in Ukraine. The whole cultural and political message of this party is
absolutely anti-Western, claiming that only hand in hand with Russia can Ukraine remain
Ukraine. Berdychowska said that as long as we are not aware of all the existing conditions, all the potential threats, there is no hope for a change to this status quo. In her
opinion, the cultural and religious issues and the interweaving of cultural and religious
Alain Guillemoles
issues with social issues, is to a
Journalist, Deputy Chief of Foreign Desk, Le Croix,
great extent characteristic of
France.
Euro-Asia.
The next issue, according to
Berdychowska, is respect for
intellectual property. Which side
does Ukraine support, she
asked. On the one hand, intellectual circles express acute
anxiety about the still inadequate understanding and observance of the issue of respect for
intellectual rights in Ukraine.
While, on the other hand, it is
completely the opposite. A
prominent Ukrainian politician,
For a part of the French, the enlargement of the EU with
the ten new members was a shock. There is this common
notion of loss of identification. As a consequence, the
President of France introduced a new condition to the
French constitution. This condition stipulates that each
new state aspiring to the European Union must first
obtain consent from France via the referendum. For
France to ratify a new treaty, each state which is to
become a candidate, will be required to get “yes” in the
referendum in France. This means that as far as Ukraine
is concerned, this issue will emerge one day. This will be
a fight for the future.
28
Teodor Melescanu, Vice-Chairman of the Senate, Romanian Parliament
the former chairman of the Supreme Council, has on several occasions been accused of
plagiarism, a charge that has been proven word by word, but he has still not faced any
political consequences.
The most interesting question
for Berdychowska is, whether
Yury Shcherbak
Ukrainian society is proDirector of the Center for Global and Area Studies,
European or Euro-Asian. For
National University, Kiev-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine
Ukrainians, what is most important is if, in the near future, the
pro-European attitude, illustratThe point is not that we prove to ourselves that we are
ed by the question of whether
Europeans. We do not need to be convinced. We felt,
Ukraine is a part of Europe, will
were and will be Europeans. If Ukraine becomes the EU
not be brought down to the
member, this will mean a civilizational revolution, a deepquestion of whether Ukraine is a
er one than all the revolutions we have been through. The
part of the European Union and
Ukraine will move from the Byzantine, post-Moscow
not Europe as such, and everyworld to the world of Western opinions.
thing else no longer matters. At
present the full force of this
problem has not yet been felt.
There are always those who will argue that Norway and Sweden are not in the European
Union, but still manage to be part of Europe.
29
Does Ukraine really have a
future? Can we feel solidarity of
the European Union states with
Ukraine or do, in spite of all, in
some fields the internal interests
of the EU members prevent this?
Perhaps, they dominate and
determine the attitude towards
Ukraine?
“In Germany but not only there,
in the European Union as well,
there is a huge problem of
understanding why Poland supports Ukraine’s aspirations to
the European Union so fiercely
and uncompromisingly. In
Berlin, we often use arguments
Anatoliy Matviyenko, Parliament of Ukraine
of economic nature, which are
arguments against excessively fast accession of Ukraine to the European Union”, said
Cornelius Ochmann from Bertelsmann Stiftung, Germany.
Thinking to whom in the European Union we could compare Ukraine, he recalled Spain.
He reminded that several years ago Spain was considered non-success within the
European system. Now, Spain represents an extraordinary self-confidence. This is also
reflected in Spanish economic
results, which proved astonishing over the course of the last
Roman Shpek
decade. In his opinion, there
Ambassador of Ukraine to the EU
are no circumstances which
would hamper Ukraine from
Ukraine’s strategic objective is the EU membership.
emulating the Spanish situation.
Both Ukraine and the EU are not ready for the Ukraine's
O’Brennan also recalled Ireland,
membership. How to use the instruments the European
where owing to its EU memberUnion had used for other countries?
ship, the society and politics
went through a really revolutionary development. Ireland
has opened its labour market for new Member States. The immigrants have integrated
with the local economy in a manner that was considered utterly impossible by the sceptics prior to 2004. Nowadays, approximately 12 per cent of Ireland’s population come
from other EU states. According to O’Brennan, people from Central and Eastern
European Member States, who believe in dynamics of integration and who believe that
the enlargement process is a positive one, must strive to convince the decision makers in
Brussels of the need of fast integration of Ukraine with the European Union.
Oleh Rybachuk from Office of the President of Ukraine noticed that we got used to deem
the terms “Europe” and “European Union” as synonyms. Rybachuk, nonetheless, pointed that the citizens of the Old EU, who do not believe that the European Union reflects
the interests of all nations, express certain scepticism. There is a question of such organizations as NATO, which is responsible for the EU security or the Council of Europe.
„Can Ukraine act as a solidary partner if in accordance with the decision of the European
Union it has been ranked in one category with Northern African and Middle East states
and our citizens today queue for visas, although we understand that it might be simpli-
30
fied? How can Ukraine, which is not the EU member embrace the principle of the
European solidarity, when all the EU members show considerable discrepancies on such
issues as the energy security, EU enlargement, relationships with the United States, attitude towards NATO or towards Russian Federation? With whom should Ukraine sympathize? How Ukraine should react to such projects as the Northern Pipeline on the bottom
of Baltic Sea? Should it advocate its supporters or toe the line of its critics?”, asks
Rybachuk. Rybachuk wonders also whether it is worth to support e.g. Nabucco Project or
to share the objections of those European states which believe that Russia should not be
annoyed. Business is a perpetual issue. Each country has got its own business. This
applies both to the European Union and Ukraine. Yet, there are egoistic interests of particular groups. The interest groups attempt to present their own interests as all-nation or
all-European interests.
„Ukraine as a European state shares the European values, although we understand that
the process of building mature democratic institutions and development of market economy will encounter certain problems. Ukraine’s path to Europe is not straight but in terms
of politics and economy it will be permanent and irreversible. Ukraine is and will be a part
of solidary Europe in various aspects”, said Rybachuk.
What expression of solidarity may Ukraine refer to in its policy? Ukraine is the first nonEU state, which has voted solidarily with the European Union on the most important foreign policy issues of security since May 2005. In more than eight hundred statements,
Ukraine supported European Union’s policy and the viewpoint on the issues of democracy, human rights and election processes in the EU. For instance, Ukraine’s stance and
an initiative on resolution of conflicts in Transnistria has been acknowledged as the most
successful one by the European Commission. In this way, Ukraine demonstrated that it is
not only able to act jointly with the European Union but it may also be an active player
in resolving territorial conflicts
or the so-called frozen conflicts.
Dietmar Stüdemann
Rybachuk pointed that solidarity
former Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine
means that in development of
particular issues, solidary states
should take into account interUkraine is the only post-Soviet state which demonstrated
ests of other states, if these
that democracy is not only big word. These are
issues pertain to their interests.
Ukrainians who proved that the state does not belong to
Yet, the European Union does
a single politician but to all citizens. This ability to undernot apply such consultation
stand that a particular person is responsible for the sociemechanisms. The European
ty or the state constitutes a huge step forward, since it
Union has got decision-making
reveals that even the reprisals which lasted for centuries
mechanisms, but they do not
failed to change the deeply rooted notion of a nation of
provide for the involvement of
people who would like to decide on the future of their
non-Member States. While
making a decision, a nonnation themselves. They are the ones who decide which
Member State may give priority
direction to follow. They want to be responsible for themto its independent decisions and
selves. Responsibility for oneself means also responsibilmay reach its decisions without
ity for others and eventually for the country as a whole. It
consultation with the European
is a crucial change as it provides a basis for a civil society,
Union. Rybachuk suggests crewhich has not taken its full shape yet in Ukraine. In the
ation of a certain mechanism of
long-term perspective, the nation will strive or even tell
joint consultation which would
its politicians which direction the state should head for.
promote search for consensus.
Its absolutely unique among the post-Soviet states.
In his opinion, this role could be
Ukrainians may provide a certain model for other postfulfilled by a political association.
Soviet republics.
31
Stefan Füle, Ambassador of Czech Republic to NATO; former Deputy Minister of Defence of Czech Republic
Bogdan Zdrojewski, Chairman of Civil Platform, Parliament of Poland
Aleksander Sushko, Director of the Centre for Peace, Conversion, and Foreign Policy in
Ukraine brought to attention the fact that solidarity comprises several crucial elements.
None of these elements may be ignored. It is a mental element, which is of essence. It is
possibility to make the countries, nations and elite realize. The second element is a pragmatic one. Political and business elites should be aware that they express certain shared
values which do not contradict each other, since the only way to avoid contradictions
between interests and values is to promote actions which stem from values. On some
issues, Ukraine and the EU act solidarily. Nevertheless, there are many factors which
inhibit this process. For instance, deeply archaic thinking, Ukrainian elites’ inability to act
solidarily inside Ukraine, certain stereotypes, certain illusions or lack of information on
key issues. „I am astonished by the idea that Ukraine should develop its alliance with
32
Steven Pifer, Expert, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, U.S.A
Mykola Katerynchuk, Vice-Chairman of Economic Policy Committee, Parliament of Ukraine
Belarus. We even should not think about it, not to mention it is not in line with the
European Union policy”.
„Is Ukraine a part of Europe? Of course it is. In terms of geography and culture. I lived
in Ukraine for two years and I never felt to live outside Europe. I have met there all common codes of understanding shared by all the Europeans", said Alain Guillemoles,
Journalist, Deputy Chief of Foreign Desk, Le Croix from France.
Anatoliy Matviyenko
The present government in Ukraine will never be effective. Present coalition must soon be made disintegrated
and replaced with a new one led by a new Prime Minister,
a reformer. It is possible that the new coalition will bring
new elections, which will cause consolidation of the
nation and creation of strong united Ukraine. This would
be a manifestation of wisdom, Departure from EuroAsian perspective, a path to Europe.
Guillemoles remarked also that
the crisis of the European model
partially stems from the French
voice in the referendum on the
European constitution. This
results from the fact that it is
commonly believed in France
that Europe, which has been
built by three and then ten and
twelve members, is rapidly
changing as a result of the
enlargement.
Simultaneous
accession of 10 states to the EU
was a kind of shock and proba-
33
Ivan Baba, Editor at Large, Budapest Analyses, former State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Hangary
bly was insufficiently understood by the French elites. There is this common notion of loss
of identification. As a consequence, the President of France introduced a new condition
to the French constitution. This condition stipulates that each new state aspiring to the
European Union must first obtain consent from France via the referendum. This measure
will not be applied to Croatia, as Croatia is already recognized a candidate with whom
the negotiation process has already been launched. For France to ratify a new treaty,
each state which is to become a candidate, will be required to get “yes” in the referendum in France. This means that
as far as Ukraine is concerned,
this issue will emerge one day.
Teodor Melescanu
This will be a fight for the future.
Vice-Chairman of the Senate, Romanian Parliament
„The point is not that we prove
Romania is one of the greatest supporters of Ukraine in
to ourselves that we are
the latter’s aspirations to the EU and this is not a cliché.
Europeans. Honestly speaking, I
Ukraine's accession to the European Union will be
am thoroughly annoyed by the
extraordinarily positive for the Union.
talks on Kievan Rus and Anna
Yaroslavna, who went to France
and became a queen. I believe
that she was a very bad representative of Ukraine, since France is not fond of Ukraine. It
recognizes us as unworthy of EU membership. I do not think that Anna did a particularly
34
Debate: Ukraine’s Path Towards Democracy: Current and Future Perspectives
good job there. We do not need to be convinced. We felt, were and will be Europeans”,
assumed Yury Shcherbak, Director of the Centre for Global and Area Studies, National
University, Kiev-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine. In his opinion „if Ukraine becomes the EU
member, this will mean a civilization revolution, a deeper one than all the revolutions we
have been through”. The Ukraine will move from the Byzantine, post-Moscow world to the
world of Western opinions, which will be an extremely essential change".
Shcherbak wonders why in the face of an intensive economic development in the world,
not only in Europe but in particular in Asia, Ukraine remains more and more underdeveloped country, which for the fifteen years of its existence was not able to determine the
direction of its geopolitical development or the government structure. In Shcherbak’s
opinion, we are witnessing how Ukraine is unfortunately becoming an outsider ranking
last in many global ratings with its limited freedom, poor struggle against corruption and
slight demographic development. Hitherto functioning oligarchic and authoritarian system in Ukraine does not allow an uninhabited participation in globalization processes,
expression and utilization of its capital and potential. It does not allow development of a
middle class.
35
Shcherbak asks who represents Ukrainian foreign policy today. According to him, such
centre of power is non-existent. The President is devoid of his constitutional functions consisting in directing the Ukraine’s foreign policy. „One may hear four different voices as
far as Ukraine’s foreign policy go. It is not even that President Kuchma went to
Washington and to Moscow issuing two different statements. I know it, because I was
there. I am surrounded by the people who say four different things. This is tragic for our
country”.
Roman Shpek, Ambassador of Ukraine to the EU, reminded that Ukraine and Europe in
1994 signed and in 1998 ratified the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. This
agreement determines the parameters of the contemporary co-operation. It facilitates
broad political, commercial and economic co-operation. Each year, there is a summit
attended by the President of Ukraine and leaders of the European Union as well as there
is held a meeting of the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council and seven subcommittees
which supervise work in various fields of life and activity between Ukraine and the
European Union. At each stage of relations between Ukraine and the EU, the European
Union developed appropriate policies towards Ukraine. The first policy was developed in
36
Günter Kössl, Nationalrat, OVP, Austria
Cornelius Ochmann, Bertelsmann
Stiftung, Germany
1998 and this was EU strategy
for Ukraine. In 2004, European
neighbourhood policy, which
applies also to Ukraine, was
passed. If one takes a look at
these instruments, one will see
that to a certain extent they meet
contemporary needs. They allow
Ukraine to achieve its strategic
objective specified by the
Parliament, Ukrainian laws and
President’s executive orders.
Ukraine’s strategic objective is
the EU membership. Both
Ukraine and the EU are not
ready for the Ukraine's membership. The question is how to use
the instruments the European
Union had used for other countries?
„Ukraine is not only a European state, but Ukraine cannot become a slave or a hostage
of the European Union's problems. The problems the EU is going through at present",
stressed Dietmar Stüdemann, former Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine. There are certain concerns on the part of Europe that the integration problems may absorb too much
energy. According to Stüdemann, it is one of the key negotiation issues. Ukraine expects
a certain explicitly formulated prospect.
Stüdemann believes that Ukraine’s future membership or any other state’s membership
for that matter will make no sense, unless the European Union is able to act at the
European or global level. Ukraine would not be right if Kiev focused solely on getting
"yes" for the prospect of membership. Yet, Ukraine has a right to ask.
In his opinion, Ukraine is the only post-Soviet state, which showed that democracy is not
only a great word but something which may and must be achieved. These are Ukrainians
who proved that the state does not belong to a single politician, the president or the cabinet of ministers. The state is shared by all the citizens. This ability to understand that a
particular person is responsible for the society or the state constitutes a huge step forward, since it reveals that even the reprisals which lasted for centuries failed to change
the deeply rooted notion of a nation of people who want to decide on the future of their
nation themselves. They are the ones who decide which direction to follow. They want to
be responsible for themselves.
Responsibility for oneself means
also responsibility for others
Jaroslav Basta
and eventually for the country
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
as a whole. This course of
affairs is of essence. It is a cruEventually, good relations with both the European
cial change as it provides a
Union and the Russian Federation lie in Ukrainian politbasis for a civil society, which
ical elite’s interest. It is the only way to derive benefits
has not taken its full shape in
from geographical position of Ukraine. The fact that
Ukraine yet. In the long-term
Ukraine is becoming the bridge between the West and
perspective, the nation will strive
Russia and not a bone of contention between the both
or even tell its politicians which
parties is a good news for all of us.
direction the state should head
37
for. Its absolutely unique among the post-Soviet states. Ukrainians may provide a certain
model for other post-Soviet republics.
The Orange Revolution is related to a great responsibility restJacek Kluczkowski
ed with Ukrainians and with
Ukrainian politicians in particuPolish Ambassador to Ukraine
lar. The way Russia treats civic
movements results directly from
Business groups, which control political parties prevent
the situation which arouse in
development of competitive economy. They counteract
Ukraine. More authoritarian
economic freedom as well as development of small and
post-Soviet republics fear that
medium-sized enterprises. Ukraine’s achievements in this
the Orange revolution and what
field are insignificant, which however must be credited to
came in the wake of it may
all political forces, not only those in power but the oppobecome a model to be followed
sition as well.
by other post-Soviet states.
These are sufficient reasons to
appreciate Ukraine and its own
achievements and to enable it choose its own path.
According to Stüdemann, it must be acknowledged that the speed of the reform processes does not live up to Ukraine’s expectations about the European Union. Ukrainians must
focus on their political system and make it work right. They must also depart from the
struggle for power or competences or who should supervise what etc. Ukrainian constitution must also conform to reality. This should be a priority.
„In principle, I advocate the view of the necessity of broadening and accelerating the cooperation with the European Union. After integration of Romania and Bulgaria with the
European Union, there are no serious candidates to the European Union. From this point
of view, there are any possible favourable circumstances for the European Union to send
a positive signal and develop integration policy instruments for Ukraine”, said Oleksij
Plotnikov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Political Economy, Parliament of Ukraine
adding that “the entire Western Ukraine is the EU border, thus the cooperation within the
Euro-regions is promising”.
Volodymyr Filenko, Deputy
Jan Neutze
Chairman of Reform and Order
Assistant Director, Program on Transatlantic Relations,
Party recalled the scenes from
Atlantic Council of USA
the Independence Square: „I
was responsible for preparing
NATO members, such as Poland, maintain their efforts
and conducting mass actions in
and support Ukraine’s course towards NATO. However,
Yushchenko's staff. I was even
we may discern some tiredness on the part of
given a nickname of the camp
Washington. This is the key. We must remember that.
officer or the field marshal of the
Independence Square”. I have
When one talks about NATO, one must consider the
never regretted that and I never
importance of the United States.
will. This was perfectly and
beautifully organized. The main
actor of the events in Maydan was neither Viktor Yushchenko nor Yulia Tymoshenko, not
even the field marshals, but the Ukrainian nation, which expressed an eternal desire for
freedom, democracy and demonstration of its identity, the European identity of the nation.
The most frequently used words in the square were the simple words: Excuse me, please,
you welcome. This was a very polite gathering. People showed their superiority over the
political elites. People saw their future, the future of the country”.
38
Preparations for a TV debate attended by Bohdan Osadchuk from Free University in Berlin and Jerzy Buzek, MEP, former Prime
Minister of Poland
Anatoliy Matviyenko, Parliament of Ukraine, is of the opinion that “Ukraine’s most acute
problem of today is ‘Bellum omnium contra omnes’, not a war for Ukraine but a war for
increasing competences. In 2006, our society was characterized by a social pessimism.
Less than 40% expressed their trust in government institutions. Most of them were convinced of a negative direction of changes. We had strong trust in Yushchenko - 80 %. The
majority believed the changes followed the desired direction. This was in 2005.
Unfortunately, mistakes made by all our politicians without exceptions, destroyed our optimism in the last years. The capital of trust has not been utilized. As for the beginning of
a new millennium, Ukrainians seem to be in a negative mood”.
According to Matviyenko, the present government in Ukraine will never be effective.
Present coalition must soon be made disintegrated and replaced with a new one led by
a new Prime Minister, a reformer. It is possible that the new coalition will bring new elections, which will cause consolidation of the nation and creation of strong united Ukraine.
This would be a manifestation of wisdom, Departure from Euro-Asian perspective, a path
to Europe.
„Romania is one of the greatest supporters of Ukraine in the latter’s aspirations to the EU
and this is not a cliché. Ukraine’s accession to the European Union will be extraordinari-
39
ly positive for the Union", said Teodor Melescanu, Vice-Chairman of the Senate,
Romanian Parliament.
Orange Revolution introduce very crucial openness in the internal political dialogue. A
majority of parties represented in the Parliament declare that one of the important objectives of Ukraine is its accession to the European Union. Obviously, the European Union
may and should keep the door open for Ukraine. Romania will do its best to hold and
keep it open, declared Melescanu.
Jaroslav Basta, Deputy Minister
Volodymyr Bezkorovaynyi
of Foreign Affairs, Czech
Real Admiral, former Commander in Chief of Navy of
Republic is of the opinion that
Ukraine
Ukrainian foreign policy will not
be of political but rather of
more pragmatic nature. It will
Current government coalition failed to take a stand on
attempt to protect its domestic
NATO. Those in power chose a path of the least possible
interests. This is the only way to
political loss: Let the nation choose. Yanukovych opted to
understand why Ukrainians
wait. He is awaiting the final decision of the society.
reject NATO membership,
Meanwhile, the society remains underinformed. We have
where we would like to see
been intensively cooperating with NATO; however, our
Ukraine. On the other hand,
administrative structures shifted the responsibility for
this enables us to understand
informing the society to the Ministry of the National
why Ukraine is concerned about
Defence, which is not capable of performing this task.
the EU membership or explains
the actions aimed at prohibiting
Therefore, this issue remains unsettled, as no one is willprivatization of the energy secing to handle it. At present, NATO representatives fulfil
tor. This will make the policy
our duties in our country. Thus, if the political forces
very transparent. Eventually,
intend to lead Ukraine through the NATO door, if NATO
good relations with both the
is to be a springboard to the European Union, we should
European Union and the Russian
consolidate political forces to educate and inform the sociFederation lie in Ukrainian politety and eventually prepared people for the referendum.
ical elite’s interest. According to
Basta, it is the only way to derive
benefits from geographical position of Ukraine. The fact that Ukraine is becoming the bridge between the West and Russia
and not a bone of contention between the both parties is a good news for all of us.
„As an ambassador, I must confine myself to low-key remarks; however, I would like to
draw your attention to two aspects”, started Jacek Kluczkowski, Polish Ambassador to
Ukraine. In his opinion, a majority of affairs failed, but first and foremost Ukrainians
failed to create the political nation, which would comprise East and West of Ukraine. The
number of parties is not important, yet it is crucial that they refer to entire Ukraine, not
to particular regions. It was not possible to separate business and politics.
„We know how destructive in times of Kuchma was the fact that each clan had its own
political party. The Orange government policy towards this relationship of business and
power was inconsistent. There were attempts to threaten and to reach an agreement. As
a consequence, this caused consolidation of a majority of clans and establishment of
business influences in politics. It is destructive not only for the politics but also for
Ukrainian economy. Business groups, which control political parties prevent development
of competitive economy. They counteract economic freedom as well as development of
small and medium-sized enterprises. Ukraine’s achievements in this field are insignificant,
which however must be credited to all political forces, not only those in power but the
opposition as well”, said Kluczkowski.
40
With regard to the issue of creating all-Ukrainian political projects,
political
parties,
Kluczkowski expresses an opinion that the East of Ukraine is
characterized by a huge democratic potential among the
young generation. Students and
not only them, from Donieck or
Charkov, want to live in a democratic and at the same time
pro-European country, where
everything is transparent and
honest. Unfortunately, this
potential has not been utilized.
Top-down shaping of a political
nation is perceived by many
Ukrainians in the East as exerting pressure, an attempt to
shape Ukrainian East in line with
the patterns spread in the
Western Ukraine.
For Jan Neutze, Assistant Director, Program on Transatlantic
Relations, Atlantic Council of
USA, the return of Yanukovych to power is a great challenge. The President Yushchenko
and the Prime Minister Yanukovych subscribe to diverse views on Ukraine’s NATO membership as well as on when and how this process should be carried out. The process is
not coordinated by any official authorities. There is no formal coordination for these two
dissimilar views. Unfortunately, Ukraine lacks tradition which would encourage two parties to seek compromise, the shortage of which translates into other problems and leads
to manifold consequences.
Alex Romaniuc, Programme Manager, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, UK
Bogdan Zdrojewski
Chairman of Civil Platform from Parliament of Poland
There is no third way for Ukraine. There is only one clear
and straight path. One may consider the pace or the
measures, but Ukraine has got no other choice if it wants
to remain a democratic country, of which I am deeply
convinced. If we really make a choice at this moment, we
choose a particular economic system. If we realize the
threats for our security, then in my opinion the choice is
indeed extremely easy. Ukraine should have been in
NATO and the European Union for several years. I
hope, this will happen soon and that the dilemmas which
arise at times will soon become irrelevant.
In the opinion of Neutze,
Ukraine had a fantastic chance
of getting closer to NATO in
2005. It was a precedent. Unfortunately, Ukraine failed to
use it. By and large, as a result
of the internal struggle for
power or various mutually
exclusive statements. Hence,
there emerged uncertainty: who
handles Ukrainian foreign policy? Who is responsible? In fact,
it is neither the Prime Minister
nor the President. As a consequence, Ukraine’s general
credibility only suffered.
“NATO members, such as
Poland, maintain their efforts and support Ukraine’s course towards NATO. However, we
may discern some tiredness on the part of Washington. This is the key. We must remem-
41
ber that. When one talks about NATO, one must consider the importance of the United
States”, remarked Neutze.
Hryhoryi Perepelytsia, Director of Institute of Foreign Policy MFA of Ukraine, asks: “Can
Ukraine become a European Union member without membership in NATO? If Ukraine
was as democratic at the national level as Sweden or Finland, the answer would be yes.
Ukraine could be a EU member even without NATO. Nonetheless, such scenario is not
probable and I want to attract the attention of the Party of Regions representatives to the
fact why it is improbable. The European Union’s stance was very explicit: in short- and
middle-term perspective, no prospects of membership. There is a very strange notion.
Ukraine does not want to go to
Europe through the door, which
is already open i.e. the NATO
Stefan Füle
door and knocks to the door
Ambassador of Czech Republic to NATO, former
which is locked. At the same
Deputy Minister of Defence of Czech Republic
time, it cries: Why the door
would not open? And if it opens,
what will be the reaction of
While promoting NATO agenda, we should not really
Russia?”.
think that it is a choice between Russia and NATO. In
NATO I would never endeavour to advise Ukrainians:
According to Perepelytsia, all
OK boys, we must choose, this or that, you heard about
post-socialist countries went to
cooperation of NATO and Russia, you know that Russia
the European Union through
is a strategic element of European security. I cannot
NATO. If Ukraine wants to join
imagine a situation when Ukrainians join NATO at the
the European Union, it should
expense of Russia’s security and pose a factual threat to
take the same path as its neighEuropean security.
bours did. At the same time,
Perepelytsia wonders if the new
Ukrainian government is ready
to support Ukraine’s national values. To what extent can this government comply with the
European values? For the time being, Perepelytsia does not discern such determination
with regard to either Ukrainian national or European values.
Perepelytsia pointed to the custom of respecting Russia which is not interested in
Ukraine’s membership in NATO or the European Union, since Russia is developing an
individual geopolitical project. Russia is building an imperial project: a single geopolitical centre of the world via re-integration of its space. Ukraine’s membership in the
European Union and NATO collides with Russia’s intentions. So what is a tangible scenario if we give up membership in NATO? asks Perepelytsia. This scenario is unambiguous today. This is a scenario of a buffer zone between Russia on one hand and the
European Union and NATO on the other.
According to Perepelytsia, few Member States are enthusiastic about Ukraine’s accession.
With a status of a buffer zone, Ukraine would be a vanguard of stabilization, provided
that Ukraine was a strong nationally consolidated state. If such circumstances do not
exist, the buffer scenario will unfortunately bring about a great deal of negative consequences. Even if Russia does not join the process actively, there are still political forces in
Ukraine which will provoke Russia to integrate Ukraine within the Russian circle of influence. In such circumstances, all Ukrainian politicians should bear in mind that the role
of a buffer zone is not beneficial for Ukraine.
“We should look back to Poland of 1939 and pre-war Baltic states. What did those countries gained from the scenario of a buffer zone? Unfortunately, this situation may repeat
in Ukraine. How to avoid this scenario and which scenario is good for us? Obviously, a
42
good solution appears to be
membership in NATO and associated membership in the
European Union. This is the most
feasible scenario, taking into
consideration the external factors; however, simultaneously it
is very complex in terms of internal factors, as first we should do
a very important homework.
First, we must reach the consensus in the entire society. Second,
we should reach consensus
among the elites. Finally, we
must strive to have Ukrainian
government and parliament. The
way to achieve it is a subject of a
distinct discussion. It is much
easier to change ourselves than
shape the world according to our
views", concluded Perepelytsia.
Volodymyr Bezkorovaynyi, Real
Admiral and former Commander
in Chief of Navy of Ukraine
Anatoliy Gutsal, Deputy Director, Institute for International Security Problems, Ukraine
remarked that if we separated
political polemics from the intentional acts of Ukraine, we may establish that Ukraine
continuous performance of all programmes pertaining to its NATO membership.
Bezkorovaynyi stressed this fact, as we deal with a certain underspecified government
policy towards NATO.
It is worth mentioning that there is the Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea. The fleet will be stationed in the territory of Ukraine up to 2017. But what then? This issue is puzzling for
everyone. The Chief of Staff stated that this does not hamper Ukraine from joining NATO.
The question is how Russia will act. There is a threat that the status quo in the Crimea
may change at any time. During events in Feodosiya several years ago Russia demonstrated what it is capable of. For
instance in Sevastopol, Ukrainian
flags were burned and the
Hryhoryi Perepelytsia
shouts of disgrace with respect
Director of Institute of Foreign Policy MFA of Ukraine
to Ukraine were heard. Both,
former and present Ukrainian
We have a custom of respecting Russia which is not intergovernments have not taken
any measures to prevent or
ested in Ukraine’s membership in NATO or the
cease acts disgraceful for
European Union, since Russia is developing an individual
Ukraine.
geopolitical project. Russia is building an imperial proj-
ect: a single geopolitical centre of the world via re-integration of its space. Ukraine’s membership in the
European Union and NATO collides with Russia’s intentions. So what is a tangible scenario if we give up membership in NATO? This scenario is unambiguous today.
This is a scenario of a buffer zone between Russia on one
hand and the European Union and NATO on the other.
“Current government coalition
failed to take a stand on NATO.
Those in power chose a path of
the least possible political loss:
Let
the
nation
choose.
Yanukovych opted to wait. He is
awaiting the final decision of the
43
Dietmar Stüdemann, former Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine
society. Meanwhile, the society remains underinformed. We have been intensively cooperating with NATO; however, our administrative structures shifted the responsibility for
informing the society to the Ministry of the National Defence, which is not capable of performing this task. Therefore, this issue remains unsettled, as no one is willing to handle it.
At present, NATO representatives fulfil our duties in our country. Thus, if the political forces
intend to lead Ukraine through the NATO door, if NATO is to be a springboard to the
European Union, we should
consolidate political forces to
educate and inform the society
and eventually prepare people
Oleksij Plotnikov
for the referendum", stated
Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Political EcoBezkorovaynyi.
nomy, Parliament of Ukraine
According to Bogdan Zdrojewski,
Chairman of Civil Platform from
Parliament of Poland, there is
no third way for Ukraine. “There
is only one clear and straight
path. One may consider the
pace or the measures, but
Ukraine has got no other choice
if it wants to remain a democrat-
I advocate the view of the necessity of broadening and
accelerating the co-operation with the European Union.
After integration of Romania and Bulgaria with the
European Union, there are no serious candidates to the
European Union. From this point of view, there are any
possible favourable circumstances for the European
Union to send a positive signal and develop integration
policy instruments for Ukraine.
44
Volodymyr Bezkorovaynyi, Rear Admiral, former Commander in Chief of Navy of Ukraine
Hryhoryi Perepelytsia, Director, Institute of Foreign Policy MFA of Ukraine
Jan Neutze, Assistant Director, Program on Transatlantic Relations, Atlantic Council of USA
ic country, of which I am deeply convinced. If we really make a choice at this moment, we
choose a particular economic system. If we realize the threats for our security, then in my
opinion the choice is indeed
extremely easy. Ukraine should
have been in NATO and the
Natalia Prokopovych
European Union for several
Chairman of the EU Integration Committee in the
years. I hope, this will happen
soon and that the dilemmas
which arise at times will soon
Thanks to the Orange Revolution, Ukraine has entered
become irrelevant.”
on a different, new path. Today, the country is experiencing an entirely different level of democratic relations. The
mass media enjoy the liberty of representing their views
and opinions about the political situation in Ukraine. A
strong influence is the spirit of self-confidence; trust in
the strength of our citizens, who nowadays have a completely different attitude towards the authorities and
themselves. Today, their behaviour is radically different,
they are no longer passive
Zdrojewski thinks that for the
time being, despite considerable profits and unquestionable
achievements, the European
Union and NATO form a slightly anarchic structure. The
organizations require profound
modernization, rapid acceleration, drawing attention to utterly
new civilization challenges,
redefinition of all situations
related to threats, logistics, costs and the decision processes. It would be advisable that
Ukraine participate in all these transformation elements which the European Union and
NATO are facing.
45
For Zdrojewski, there is no such dilemma whether Ukraine should join NATO first and
then the European Union or the other way round. In his opinion, if one wants to achieve
a single final effect, the strength of economy will depend on domestic and external state
security. Large-scale investments and ability to react to particular situations will be feasible, when both elements are mutually compatible, co-function and complement each
other. One must remember that Europe and the world do not consider a dilemma of an
out-of-context problem of Ukraine but consider also the solutions to nationality problems
in France, Germany, England and Italy. At the same time, it is noticed that Turkey is also
aspiring to join the Union as well as that along with the EU enlargement the structure of
costs and expenses is changing and that the necessity to make decisions is to be modified. Europe looks forward to Ukraine's decision, conformity and readiness to reach a
particular decision at a specified time.
Zdrojewski believes that Poland, which is within the structures of the European Union,
should not ignore the security of the United States. One cannot say that since the Missile
Shield in Poland will serve only to the United States, Poland should remain indifferent, as
an ally should not be indifferent as to whether the United States, this powerful ally is
secure or not. Zdrojewski expects that the United States will pay attention to Poland, considering Poland’s security and that the United States will not remain indifferent whether
Poland is developing, whether it
is secure, what systems it uses,
what are its abilities to react,
Leonid Kozhara
what is our energy or IT security
Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee in
like etc, because it is an ally. It is
the same in the case of Ukraine.
Poland needs Ukraine as an
We have overestimated our capabilities. We thought that
ally.
“It is very important for us that
Ukraine is economically strong
and secure; however not only in
military terms, since it is one of
the elements which is diminishing in importance as far as conventional thinking on security is
concerned. We care about politically secure Ukraine, where all
the Ukrainian institutions are
built on strong foundations”,
says Zdrojewski.
the victory of the Orange Revolution in Ukraine would
imply the treatment of Ukraine by Europe and the rest of
the Western Hemisphere as other Eastern European
countries. It was expected that Ukraine would be granted
a more advanced status than it had before the Orange
Revolution. I think also that the new team led by
President Yushchenko to power has not been able to
realize the leading concepts underpinning the Orange
Revolution. I observed all the processes experienced by
us directly after the revolution and sometimes I could not
believe that they were happening in Ukraine
Zdrojewski reminded that Poland strongly supports the full independence of decisionmaking in Ukraine. It was Ukraine which chose its path without regarding whether somebody likes or dislikes it either in Moscow or in Washington. It is also very important to
respect the context in which Ukraine is set.
There are three states with an action plan intended for the membership and only two with
a special framework system of relations. Ukraine is one of these two states. Furthermore,
Ukraine is in the group of an intensive dialogue.
“While promoting NATO agenda, we should not really think that it is a choice between
Russia and NATO. In NATO I would never endeavour to advise Ukrainians: OK boys, we
must choose, this or that, you heard about cooperation of NATO and Russia, you know
that Russia is a strategic element of European security. I cannot imagine a situation when
46
Ukrainians join NATO at the expense of Russia’s security and pose a factual threat to
European security”, said Stefan Füle, Ambassador of Czech Republic to NATO, former
Deputy Minister of Defence of Czech Republic.
“Finally, I may utter this sacred phrase. Our two-day marathon is heading towards the
end. We, the Ukrainian delegation, understood that we are Europeans, we convinced ourselves. Finally, we heard strongly encouraging voices of our friends saying they do not
oppose our membership in the European Union. The only thing left is to hear the same
from Brussels. Besides, everything is all right. Obviously, this is a joke. I am convinced that
during this conference, we had more questions than answers. I think this is very good. We
will have something to think over between the following conferences. We have not agreed
on many issues; nevertheless we managed to reach the agreement on the issue that
Ukraine should become the European Union and NATO member”, concluded Yurii
Scherbak, Director of UKMA Centre for Global and Area Studies from Ukraine.
Ukrainian Economy and the EU:
Partner or Burden?
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
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UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
48
Debates:
● Ukrainian Economy and the EU: Partner or Burden?
● Ukrainian Economic Reforms – Current Situation and Strategic Goals
● European Energy Security and Ukraine: Challenges and Opportunities
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE
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UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
UKRAINE
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
FORUM
49
Ukrainian Economy and the EU:
Partner or Burden?
Debate: Ukrainian Economy and the EU: Partner or Burden?
Is the Ukrainian economy a partner or a burden for the European Union? According to
Roman Shpek, Ambassador of Ukraine to the EU, the Ukrainian economy previously did
not have the character of an independent state economy, because Ukraine was part of
the Soviet Union. For example, its seven great shipyards were not built to meet the needs
of Ukraine, but to service the navy of the Soviet Union, including its submarines. “So how
to restructure these shipyards without disturbing the social peace, without protests by the
nation against structural reforms?” asked Shpek.
50
Ksenia Lyapina, Member of Parliament, Supreme Council of Ukraine
Vasyl Zahorodniy, Head of Department, Ministry of Economy of Ukraine
In the early days of the independence of Ukraine, trade with Russia accounted for 70%
of total foreign trade turnover. Currently, the Ukraine’s primary trade partner, at the level
of 31%, is the European Union. At a slightly lower level – 30% – is the Russian
Federation. Behind that are China, India, the Middle East and the American continent.
Ukraine is a major outlet for the
EU countries as regards the sale
of foodstuffs, and investment,
Ksenia Lyapina
and it should be noted that its
potential has steadily been
increasing. The stable macroeconomic situation, single digit
Ukraine is today a partner, who is actively oriented
inflation levels, controlled
towards Europe. The proof of Ukraine’s real intentions
budget deficit, and continuing
is, among other things, the growing commercial exchange
economic growth prove that
with the European Union.
Ukraine is a partner worthy of
attention.
In the years 1999-2006 commercial exchange between the European Union and
Ukraine increased fourfold, primarily to the advantage of the EU member states. Exports
of Ukrainian goods increased threefold, and imports of European goods four and a half
times. At present, Ukraine has a negative balance of commercial exchange with the EU.
51
The macroeconomic situation is
conducive to an influx of private
investment. So, what are investors
worried about? According to
Shpek it is, among other things,
the lack of transparency and
weakness of the judiciary, which
fails to guarantee full protection
of investor rights in the event of
a dispute, the complex tax legislation and the lack of senior
managers.
“I am a member of this political
group, which is in favour of
European integration,” stated
Ksenia Lyapina, from the
Parliament of Ukraine. In her
opinion, “Ukraine is today a
partner, who is actively oriented
Roman Shpek, Ambassador of Ukraine to the EU
towards Europe. The proof of
Ukraine’s real intentions is, among other things, the growing commercial exchange with
the European Union.”
Lyapina is convinced that the main factor in favour of Ukraine’s European integration
should be, first of all, Ukrainian business. Ukraine and Russia are the only countries of
the former Soviet Union that have been able to build up their own private capital. Other
countries have only state capital. “The great Ukrainian private capital is pro-European
and is actively integrating with the EU,” stated Lyapina.
European investment in Ukraine
has not yet responded either to
the potential of Ukraine, or to
the capabilities of European
capital. But there are certain
premises, which allow us to say
that this investment will grow.
Several large European banks
have entered the Ukrainian market through the acquisition of
Ukrainian banks. Talks are also
being held on the market entry
of large insurance companies.
An attractive infrastructure has
already been prepared in
Ukraine.
Krzysztof Pawi¡ski
Maspex Wadowice
I can notice a process of mutual drawing together, which
is irreversible in my view. It is irreversible because it is
favourable for both parties. Obviously, both the economy
of the European Union, including that of its individual
member states, and the Ukrainian economy benefit from
reciprocal cooperation. The EU has already become the
leading economic partner of Ukraine. I think this is a
steady trend.
It is important also not to forget that Ukraine is a transit country. However, its potential in
this regard is being used only to a small degree, estimated at approximately 10%. For
example, representatives of the business circles in the countries of Central Asia have
unanimously signalled that they perceive Ukraine as a potential bridge between Central
Asia and Europe. They are interested in the development of Ukraine’s transit capabilities,
so that Ukraine is not seen merely as a buffer state between Europe and Russia, but as
a bridge between Europe and the countries of Central Asia.
52
“The transit potential of Ukraine
is interesting not just for the
Ukrainians; the whole world is
interested in it, and not just
Europe. However, Ukraine will
not manage to develop this
potential on its own. We should
actively attract European investment in this branch of our economy,” said Lyapina.
One should not forget also that
the development of Europe
requires an increased capacity
for gas transfer. But, how can it
be increased? One possibility is
to invest in alternative sources;
another is to enhance the
capacity of the already existing
Krzysztof Pawiƒski, President of Maspex, Poland
systems. Nevertheless, it is betFlorin Pogonaru, President of Romanian Businessmen’s
ter to invest in the existing gas
Association
transport infrastructure, since
Ukraine is using its transport capacity very inefficiently at present.
Maspex Wadowice is a company that has been present in Ukraine for several years. Its
president, Krzysztof Pawiƒski, noted that the Ukrainian economy is bringing the country
closer to the European Union. “One should not conclude that we are dealing with an
economy that fits the economic criteria of the European Union, although I can notice a
process of mutual drawing together, which is irreversible in my view. It is irreversible
because it is favourable for both
parties. Obviously, both the
economy of the European
Bohdan Zahorodny
Union, including that of its indiDirector, Department of Foreign Investment, Ukrainian
vidual member states, and the
Ministry of Economy
Ukrainian economy benefit from
reciprocal cooperation. The EU
Ukraine has sufficient scientific-technical and economic
has already become the leading
economic partner of Ukraine. I
potential, in order to ensure economic growth. The purthink this is a steady trend.”
pose of European integration is precisely to build a free-
market economy, and develop the country according to
principles that meet the world standard.
Ukraine, according to Pawiƒski,
with its own structure of production costs is a perfect place to
start production. What is seen
from the political point of view in the EU countries as a threat, for example the issue of
access to the labour market, looks different from a business perspective. “Considering
the labour market’s flexibility, access to it for Ukrainian employees in the European Union
enhances the flexibility of this market, makes it more efficient and, as a result, it is beneficial. Certainly, the point of view of business is different from the political view of this
issue.”
Ukraine has, according to Bohdan Zahorodny, Director of the Department of Foreign
Investment at the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy, sufficient scientific-technical and economic potential, in order to ensure economic growth. The purpose of European integra-
53
Petro Poshenko, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, National Bank of Ukraine, Chairman of the Finances
and Banking Committee, Parliament of Ukraine
tion is precisely to build a free-market economy, and develop the country according to
principles that meet the world standard.
According to the Ministry of Economy, today Ukraine can guarantee its economic stability. The economy is at the stage of rapid growth. However, the scale of foreign investment
is not satisfactory. There is a lack of, inter alia, technical infrastructure, business incubators, and technology parks. Experts from the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy are also
working on the concept of public-private partnership. This is aimed at preparing organizational and institutional mechanisms that foster a merger of public and private capital
in order to realize major projects related to both production, and to scientific and technical research, and even to municipal services.
In the beginning of the 1990s, according to Petro Poroshenko, Chairman of the Finances
and Banking Committee of the Ukrainian parliament, Ukraine was best prepared for
market reform. It had the highest level of investment attractiveness. At the end of the
1990s, Ukraine was in a state of political crisis and on the verge of bankruptcy. Systemic
54
changes in Ukraine started in
2000, when the country recovered from its debt crisis and a
series of economic reforms were
carried out. The then government of Victor Yuschenko succeeded, for example, in reducing the state’s public debt and
in ending delays in the payment
of salaries. Poroshenko said he
did not agree with those assessments that claim that recent
elections showed public disenchantment with the orange
party. In his view, more than
50% of citizens voted for democratic values.
“The governing coalition of
democratic forces succeeded in
enacting a whole series of laws,
which provided for Ukraine’s
accession to the World Trade
Volodymyr Polokhalo, Deputy Chairman of Polish-Ukrainian
Parliamentary Group, Parliament of Ukraine
Organization. The drafts of the
laws connected with the accession to the World Trade Organization had already waited for two years. Within a month,
we fulfilled all the conditions laid down for Ukraine by the WTO. It was a major achievement attributable to the Ukrainian parliament in the area of economy,” asserted
Poroshenko.
The Chairman of the Finances
and Banking Committee of the
Petro Poroshenko
Ukrainian parliament pointed
Chairman, Finances and Banking Committee, Ukrainian
also to the extremely low comParliament
petitiveness of the Ukrainian
economy. Discussions on this
issue accompanied the accesThe coalition, which governs in Ukraine at present, is an
sion of Ukraine to the World
unnatural coalition, and certain directions of the introTrade
Organization.
Will
duced reforms confirm me in this opinion. However, I can
Ukraine be able to stand up to
confirm that today, in none of the votes cast was the comthe competition? Another probmunist party driven by its ideological motives. I am also
lem is the high level of energy
absolutely convinced that forming an anti-crisis coalition
consumption of the Ukrainian
has led to a crisis, unless there was already a crisis earlier.
economy, the heavy burden of
the tax regime, the inefficient
system of tax collection, the low
level of worker efficiency, and
also the relatively limited salary incentive. Members of Parliament think this is the outcome of the existing minimum and average pay levels. Poroshenko also expressed concern with the appearance of external corporate debt and the decreasing profitability of
farms. “This year, it will be particularly evident on farms. I think that in two months we will
experience an economic crisis in agriculture, because a considerable part of the farms,
because of delays in the realization of budgetary liabilities towards the agricultural sector,
will be forced to declare bankruptcy.”
55
Jan Mladek, Director of the Institute for Applied Economics, former Aide to Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
Jeffrey Franks, Senior Resident Representative, IMF
“Certainly, I think that the coalition, which governs in Ukraine at present, is an unnatural
coalition, and certain directions of the introduced reforms confirm me in this opinion.
However, I can confirm that today, with full respect towards the communist ideology, in
none of the votes cast was the communist party driven by its ideological motives. I am
also absolutely convinced that
forming an anti-crisis coalition
has led to a crisis, unless there
Jeffrey Franks
was already a crisis earlier. I
Senior Resident Representative
entirely disagree with those who
claim that Ukraine is the poorest
Structural reforms are actually only partially realized in
country in Europe. As an econoUkraine at the moment. If we look at any reports from the
mist and a person who is intertransition period prepared by either the EBRD, or the
ested in statistical data, I could
International Monetary Fund in different areas, we can consay that the present day Ukraine
clude that structural transformation indices are still much
is one of the most dynamic counbelow the average for the CEE countries, and also below the
tries in Europe, to a great extent
thanks to internal demand.
index applied by the EBRD in the case of the South
Unfortunately, this tendency has
European countries and the Baltic States.
56
been considerably reduced,”
stated Poroshenko.
Ukrainians, according to Jeffrey
Franks, a Senior Resident
Representative, IMF, should
think how to restructure their
economy, to make it competitive not just in this decade, but
also in the coming ones.
Franks proposed also that it is
worth looking closely at the
countries that have recently
become EU members. They
can also help Ukraine by showing the way, for example, in
which types of reforms should
be adopted in order to follow
the same path.
“Structural reforms are actually
only partially realized in
Ukraine at the moment. If we
look at any reports from the
transition
period prepared by
Oleksij Plotnikov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Political Economy, Parliament of
Ukraine
either the EBRD, or the
International Monetary Fund in
different areas, we can conclude that structural transformation indices are still much
below the average for the CEE countries, and also below the index applied by the EBRD
in the case of the South European countries and the Baltic States,” said Franks.
“My organization sends recommendations, but we are not
Jan Mladek
allowed to impose any set of
Director of the Institute for Applied Economics, former
reforms on Ukraine. It has a
Aid to Prime Minister of Czech Republic
very inexpensive access to
financial resources, and hence
the world has no opportunity of
For the majority of EU countries, so-called reform of the
enforcing the reform process.
common agricultural policy should happen in 2009 and it
What does it mean? It means
is bound to be a complete nightmare. But without solvthat pressures for reform and
ing this issue we can forget about any realistic prospects
permission for the reform
of Ukraine’s membership of the EU.
process must come from
Ukraine; from the Ukrainian citizens themselves, and they will
not come from either the IMF, or the World Bank. If the Ukrainian citizens introduce these
processes, I am sure that the International Monetary Fund, the EBRD and other organizations will be satisfied with them. Yet, these decisions must be made by the Ukrainian citizens for their own benefit,” added Franks.
Jan Mladek, Director of the Institute for Applied Economics and a former aid to the prime
minister of the Czech Republic stressed the enormous agricultural potential of Ukraine:
Vast areas of arable land; long farming traditions; an agricultural sector that could feed
half of Europe.
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“It is a great task for the politicians dealing with the agricultural sector. Because, from another
point of view, it is a disaster,
since Europe has a surplus of
agricultural
products
and
attempts to tackle this issue, to
some extent by exporting agricultural products even outside of
Europe. We have had such an
experience in the Czech
Republic and in Poland. From the
perspective of global welfare I
must say that it is a catastrophe.
Frankly speaking, I do not mean
just Europe, but also the United
States because both these
organisms are destroying, as a
matter of fact, the agricultural
sector in the Third World countries, by selling them cheap
goods and not allowing for the
development of their own sector;
therefore this is expected to
become a significant issue also
Mychaylo Gonchar, Expert, NOMOS, Kiev
Artur Zawisza, Member of Parliament, Poland
for Ukraine. This issue must
absolutely be subject to negotiations with the EU. The EU should demonstrate some generosity. It seems to be very difficult, because for the majority of EU countries, so-called reform of the common agricultural policy should happen in 2009 and it is bound to be a complete nightmare. But without solving this issue we can forget about any realistic prospects of Ukraine’s membership
of the EU,” said Mladek.
It is unclear, which farmland
Vaclav Bartuska
should be privatized, and who
Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security, Ministry of
should benefit from its privatization. Should the focus be on
Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
enterprises, or family farms?
There is no clear model of the
Energy security can be the biggest barrier between the
methods for performing such a
European Union and Ukraine, because Russia is at the
privatisation, or what its purpose
moment looking intensively for ways of bypassing
should be. “If we privatize free
Belarus and Ukraine.
of charge, for little money, we
will have problems with trade,
because there are generally no
good solutions in that case. If someone receives land, because he pretends to be a farmer
and later resells this land, then it will be against some regulations. Therefore, the issue of
privatizing land is indeed very complicated and difficult, but it must be resolved somehow,” remarked Mladek.
According to Vaclav Bartuska, Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security from the Czech
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, energy security can be the biggest barrier between the
European Union and Ukraine, because Russia is at the moment looking intensively for
ways of bypassing Belarus and Ukraine. The European Union has two options at this
58
time; one is to continue asking
for transit via Ukraine and
Belarus; and the second is to
agree on other routes. At present we are moving towards
diversifying both the routes and
the resources. These two elements are a requirement of the
EU – but new sources and new
transport routes may be a hard
blow for Ukraine.
“Issues of energy security and
the further development of energy projects are of primary
importance. It is interesting that
a representative of the Czech
Republic is moderating this
meeting, because the example
of the Czech Republic is a
Vaclav Bartuska, Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security,
model for Eastern European
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
countries as to how energy
security projects connected with the diversification of supplies should be carried out,” said
Mychaylo Gonchar, Expert with NOMOS, Kiev.
Mychaylo Gonchar
Expert, NOMOS
The serious funds obtained by Russia from oil and gas
exports exert pressures on the minds of the Kremlin
politicians. In 2006, Russia exported weapons worth USD
6 billion, while receipts from oil and gas were USD 139.4
billion. There is no need for further commentary. These
funds are not always obtained in a legal, direct way. Often
they illegally, indirectly realize a certain strategy of the
Russian authorities. In the preamble to the energy security policy of Russia it is written that its energy resources
allow Russia to pursue its internal and foreign policies.
Many people say that in the event of low oil and gas
prices, Russia can be a supplement to the resource base
of Europe. And in the event of high prices for these carriers, Europe can be an industrial addendum to Russia. It
is a joke, but it reveals a significant truth.
In 1995, the Czech Republic
decided to build an energy system and plan energy supplies,
and it carried out this project
within a year. In this way the
country was insured against
unexpected problems with the
supply from the East. The Czech
Republic has also established a
strategic stock of oil, according
to the directives of the European
Union and other, strategic documents. At present the stock
level indices are higher than
expected, e.g. oil reserves are
not expected to last for 90 days,
but for 105 days.
The Eastern peripheries of the
enlarged European Union have
traditionally relied on Russian
energy resources.
“The serious funds obtained by
Russia from oil and gas exports exert pressures on the minds of the Kremlin politicians. In
2006, Russia exported weapons worth USD 6 billion, while receipts from oil and gas were
USD 139.4 billion. There is no need for further commentary. These funds are not always
obtained in a legal, direct way. Often they illegally, indirectly realize a certain strategy of
the Russian authorities. In the preamble to the energy security policy of Russia it is written
59
that its energy resources allow
Russia to pursue its internal and
foreign policies. Many people
say that in the event of low oil
and gas prices, Russia can be a
supplement to the resource base
of Europe. And in the event of
high prices for these carriers,
Europe can be an industrial
addendum to Russia. It is a joke,
but it reveals a significant truth,”
stated Gonchar.
The accession of Bulgaria and
Romania to the EU structures
resulted in the Black Sea coast
being moved within the EU borders. It is important for the
European Union to prepare an
integral development proOleksander Todiychuk, Coordinator of the UE- Ukraine
gramme for the exploration of
Energy Programmes, European Commission, former Director of
shelf deposits in Bulgaria,
UkrTransNafta
Romania
and
Ukraine.
Ukraine’s sector holds the main reserves, but the country does not have adequate technology for deep-water gas extraction.
According to Gonchar, the
European Union has made a
Artur Zawisza
serious mistake, when the direct
Member of Parliament, Poland
dialogue Brussels - Astana,
Brussels - Tashkent was transUkraine should be a part of the overall energy security
formed into dialogue between
Moscow and Brussels. It meant
system. However, a real problem is that we can no longer
Russia was acting as a reprebe sure what would be the actual effect of Ukraine joinsentative of Central Asian intering the European security system. How many genuinely
ests. Brussels has become
Ukrainian solutions would be contributed to the
aware that the decision was
European security system and how many of them would
wrong. But it is possible to corbe borrowed by Ukraine, but in fact originate from
rect this approach. The
Russia.
European Union has already
taken the first steps in this direction by signing memoranda with
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on strategic energy cooperation. Now, in the situation where
Russia is seeking out the energy resources of Central Asia, it is important to propose
cooperation packages for all the countries of that region, first of all, for Turkmenistan and
Azerbaijan. This means that research should be conducted to prepare new deposits, and
a consortium should be established, because individual companies will not be able to
compete with Gazprom. The construction of new routes for gas transport to Europe
should be added, and the entry of Turkmenistan’s operators to the European market
should be safeguarded. An independent gas transport system should be built, which will
be independent from the prevailing economic conditions and the overall situation in
Russia. This is not contradictory; rather it entirely complements the existing NABUKO
project, which in the wake of the problems with Iran has become more and more oriented to the Caspian Sea deposits.
60
Banquet of the City of Wroc∏aw
Gonchar noted that many countries in the European Union support the formula: Energy
assets in the European Union for Russia in return for access to deposits in Russia. Some
people in Ukraine also back this formula. “This formula looks so great and fair only in
the beginning. In reality it will always be a game, and the final result will be positive for
Russia, because the third component, namely transport, is not considered. Transport of
energy in Russia is a monopoly. Control of oil transport also gives control over extraction
and consumption. Yet, this formula is very tricky. Without the demonopolization of these
issues in Russia and also without the adoption by Russia of the European Energy Charter,
there can be no equal partnership between Russia and Brussels. This should be understood both in Brussels and in Kiev. Some people say that by creating a very loss-making
oil and gas infrastructure, Russia loses money. In reality, this is not so. It allows Russia to
manoeuvre the flows of energy and to create artificial deficits and increase prices, if there
are such needs,” asserted Gonchar.
Poland and Ukraine are countries, according to Polish member of parliament Artur
Zawisza, which are only too aware of the lack of diversification of energy supply sources.
Due to both historical and present experiences, Poland has made energy security a primary focus of attention in the European debate. Even if this topic was present earlier in
different debates from time to time, it is only thanks to the issue being raised as a key
topic by the Polish side that the European elite became aware of the need for systemic
and long-term solutions.
61
Ukraine should be a part of the overall energy security system. Poland is even attempting to act as an advocate for Ukraine in Europe and further, hopefully as soon as possible, in the European Union. However, a real problem, according to Zawisza, is that we
can no longer be sure what would be the actual effect of Ukraine joining the European
security system. How many genuinely Ukrainian solutions would be contributed to the
European security system and how many of them would be borrowed by Ukraine, but in
fact originate from Russia. This is a topic of on-going discussion. Certainly there would
be some risk, and it needs to be minimized.
“Ukraine could be and should
be a very important, steady component of energy security in
Europe, but how much this is
possible depends heavily on the
progress of events in Ukraine,”
stated Zawisza.
Arkady Moshes
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
The EU must overcome the egoism of its national energy
monopolists and liberalize the market. It is clearly absurd
that there are gas pipelines from Russia to Germany and
gas pipelines from Algeria to France, but no pipelines
between Germany and France.
Russia, according to Oleksander
Todiychuk, Coordinator of the
EU-Ukraine Energy Programme
from the European Commission,
and
former
Director
of
UkrTransNafta, is trying to process the majority of the oil on its territory, in an attempt to
bypass Ukraine. Russia has already stated officially that in the future gas will be transported via the Baltic and Black Seas, a process that has already begun. Kazakhstan is
feeling quite uncomfortable between China and Russia, and is trying to strengthen its
position by consolidating relations with the European Union in reliance on the Caspian
Sea connections, which go via the Transcaucasus and Ukraine.
“Most importantly Ukraine should support in these negotiations the position of the
European Union and the United States; so far we have not succeeded in this, although
we can feel the solidarity of the Polish side. Perhaps someone might not remember it, but
we do remember that Poland opposed the building of a part of the gas pipeline, which
was planned to bypass Ukraine. This had an effect. I regret very much that some members of the government in Ukraine during the crisis in Belarus stated that Ukraine was willing to permit the bypass of Belarus and Poland. Fortunately, the highest state officials
rejected this possibility,” asserted Oleksander Todiychuk.
The main problem for Ukraine, according to Todiychuk, is that today it is at a crossroads,
on the border between political systems. Ukraine’s policy line will also depend on which
part of the world it supports.
“If Ukraine becomes a potential NATO member and at least an associated state of the
European Union, we would need diversification. If not, we would invest money in Russia,
which is a source of our problems today. The energy challenges that we face are, first of
all, connected with the necessity for a decision, to be taken as fast as possible, if only provisionally, on the place of Ukraine in the European structure, which will automatically provide an answer to a number of questions regarding energy projects. This is also expected to strengthen Ukraine and the European Union,” stated Todiychuk.
The coordinator of the EU-Ukraine Energy Programme from the European Commission
thinks that Ukraine can also be helpful in providing strategic reserves of both oil and gas,
something that has been confirmed by the European Union. A number of old gas
deposits are located in the west of Ukraine. With only a small investment they can
become powerful gas reserves. They are located practically on the border of the
62
European Union. Access to the privatization of the infrastructure to Western European
countries, who could introduce such an investment, which would effectively counterbalance the influence of Russian companies, would allow Ukraine to find the right place for
itself in the structure of European energy security.
Like the majority of EU countries, Romania is not self-sufficient in supplying its energy
needs. The weight of energy as a strategic element is obvious. For Petre Ghibu, a
Counsellor to the President of the Romanian Businessmen’s Association, it is important to
consider energy efficiency. This is much more important for such a country as Romania,
developing on the basis of the previous system which, as in many neighbouring countries, was heavily biased
towards heavy industry and
which consumed inefficiently
Oleksander Todiychuk
enormous amounts of energy.
Coordinator of Energy Programmes the UE- Ukraine,
Therefore, it is very important to
increase awareness of energy
European Commission, former Director of
efficiency. This energy awareUkrTransNafta
ness is also a very important
energy source, particularly in
If Ukraine becomes a potential NATO member and at
countries that must undergo
least an associated state of the European Union, we
extensive and comprehensive
would need diversification. If not, we would invest money
reforms to restructure those
in Russia, which is a source of our problems today. The
industrial sectors that have very
energy challenges that we face are, first of all, connected
high energy consumption.
with the necessity for a decision, to be taken as fast as
Arkady Moshes from the Finnish
possible, if only provisionally, on the place of Ukraine in
foreign ministry believes that
Europe needs to regain its selfthe European structure, which will automatically provide
confidence. In his view, with oil
an answer to a number of questions regarding energy
as a main world commodity
projects. This is also expected to strengthen Ukraine and
along with alternative fuels and
the European Union
nuclear energy, we have no
shortcomings in the area of
energy at all. Mutual energy
dependency between Russia and the European Union is a fact. Russia no longer intends
to sell more of its energy to the EU than the Union wants to purchase. Studies have shown
in a very convincing way that it is impossible for Russia to reorient its exports eastward to
the Asian markets. Certainly, there will be a certain diversification, but India is not an
option, and the Chinese market is much, much smaller. No matter if it is economically
profitable or not, Russia will be selling to Europe. In his opinion, the EU must overcome
the egoism of its national energy monopolists and liberalize the market. It is clearly
absurd that there are gas pipelines from Russia to Germany and gas pipelines from
Algeria to France, but no pipelines between Germany and France.
Energy security, according to Marcin Sienkiewicz from Wroc∏aw University, should not
equate only with crude oil and natural gas. The issue is far more complex. The Czech
Republic, Ukraine and Poland have certain energy resources – namely hard coal – which
they even export, and they are, at least in the case of Poland, in the top ten coal exporters
in the world. “Poland, the Czech Republic and Ukraine have a surplus of hard coal. Their
power sectors, especially the Polish one, we can say, are based on hard coal and brown
coal. Should we not think of taking joint initiatives as regards preparing new technologies
and the more efficient use of this fuel, which, as opposed to oil and gas, is the least
calorific?” reflected Sienkiewicz.
Organizer
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Forum Manager
Since its establishment in 1993 the Eastern Institute (full name: the Institute for Eastern
Studies Foundation) has been engaged in activities in the field of cooperation among
European states, in particular, of Central and Eastern Europe. Numerous projects carried
out by the Institute, the main of which is the Economic Forum in Krynica, contribute to
establishment and development of political, economic, cultural and scientific ties
among the states of the region.
In order to elaborate on the debates held in Krynica at greater length, the Institute organizes special conferences dedicated to individual regions, which are attended by prominent politicians and experts:
● Europe – Russia Forum
● Europe – Central Asia Forum
● Europe – Ukraine Forum
● Energy Forum
● thematic debates
● presentations at the European Parliament
The Forum’s Programme Council, which shapes the content and the programme as well
as sets the course of development for the Forum, supports the Eastern Institutes’ activities
pertaining to organization of the Forum. The Council consists of renowned politicians
and economists.
Additionally, the Institute issues numerous publications, including New Europe. Report on
Transformation, which so far has been brought out four times. The fifth issue is still being
prepared. There have also been discrete reports on Russia and Central Asia.
The Eastern Institute arranges trainings and study visits as well as provides internships for
people form Russia, Ukraine and Byelorussia in renowned Polish companies.
Furthermore, the Institute awards scholarships to talented students from Eastern Europe.
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A bridge between East and West
■ The Economic Forum in Krynica has become an important spot on the political map
of the world and probably the only one, where the East meets the West on such a
large scale.
■ Following the EU enlargement, the Forum came up with a new format and introduced
a new quality of relations between East and West.
■ Krynica provides a range of Europe-wide opinions in the debate on shaping the EU’s
foreign policy.
■ The Forum’s agenda covers over 110 debates and presents a number of analytical
reports, some of which are published by the Forum, for instance New Europe. Report
on Transformation.
José Manuel Barroso
President of the European Commission
I appreciate the initiative launched by the Economic Forum,
as it allows its attendants an opportunity for a dialogue and
discussion, the exchange of opinions we need so much to
understand the world we live in, the world that evolves
towards growth we had hardly imagined yesterday.
Meeting of Visegrad Group
66
A meeting place
■ The Economic Forum is a renowned event in Central and Eastern Europe. Press say it
is a place to be in.
■ The Forum allows a direct contact with people from the front pages of newspapers and
magazines.
■ Krynica Spa Promenade is the largest meeting room in Central and Eastern Europe.
■ The Forum is attended by more than 1800 guests from nearly 60 countries from
Europe, Asia and America, including presidents, prime ministers, ministers, heads of
central banks, stock exchanges and government agencies as well as numerous business representatives, economic and non-governmental organisations.
■ The Economic Forum is reported by more than 350 journalists from 150 Polish and
international editorial teams, dailies and periodicals, TV and radio broadcasting companies, information agencies as well as web portals.
■ The Forum offers an opportunity for joint-projects pertaining to adaptation of the existing provisions of law to the changes in management and operation of enterprises in
a new reality.
■ The event allows presentation of legal solutions taking into consideration the impact
of new technologies on the functioning of the economy.
■ Information acquired during the Forum enables enterprises to determine suitable
investment policies, diminish risk and increase the security of the invested assets.
■ Forum allows its attendants to get familiar with new trends of the economic development.
“A Question of Europe’s Future”, a debated
attended by former presidents of Lithuania,
Slovakia, Poland and Slovenia
During the Forum, Krynica Spa Promenade
is the largest meeting room in Central and
Eastern Europe
Vivianne Reding
EU Commissioner for Information
Society and Media
Europe faces a feasible opportunity to compete against the
USA, China and India. The main European advantages
include established global trends in the area of new technologies and nanotechnology as well as a high quality of life,
lack of social unrest and cultural diversification.
67
Europe – Russia Forum
Meetings like Europe – Russia Forum provide an
impulse for the revision for both participants of the
Forum. Regarding the assessments and values, the
elites of Russia and Europe cannot speak different
languages about the same events. The EU and
Russia need comprehensive cooperation. At the
beginning, it is worth analysing the mutual significance of the EU and Russia as strategic partners.
Europe – Russia Forum is attended by representatives of political parties, heads of central institutions,
representatives of academic centres, entrepreneurs
and journalists from Russia and the EU countries.
According to Sergey Yastrzhembsky, the Russian
President's aide for relations with the EU, Russia is
not afraid of the EU’s enlargement. The European
Union attracts other countries, because it presents a
modern economic model. Russia wants to develop
relations with the EU as far as the EU itself is ready.
We would like to develop our relations in the normal
course of action. However, we are afraid that the EU
is not ready for it. Europe is not able to adopt a
unanimous stance towards Russia.
Pierre Lellouche
President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
A Plenary Session of II Europe – Russia Forum in Vilnius, attended by Sergey Yastrzhembsky, the Russian
President's aide for relations with the EU, Urban Ahlin, chairman of the Swedish Parliament's Foreign Affairs
Committee, Volker Rühe, former Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, Pawe∏ Zalewski,
The Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the Sejm (Lower Chamber of the Parliament) of the
Republic of Poland.
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Europe – Ukraine Forum
The European Union constitutes an enormous political and economic organism. In spite
of internal problems or common heated arguments among its members, the EU has
emerged as a significant element of global order. Regardless of the emotional attitude
towards the European Union, it provides a vital reference point for a number of countries
and regions, particularly its neighbours. This applies to both political and economic
aspects of the unification process.
Viktor Yanukowych, Prime Minister of Ukraine
and Jaros∏aw Kaczyƒski, Prime Minister of Poland
Viktor Yushchenko
The President of Ukraine
Volodymyr Makucha
Minister of Economy of Ukraine
The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Viktor
Yanukovych announced that “Ukraine
is not going to shift the course of policy, set by the former government, with
regard to European integration and
cooperation with NATO. The reforms
are to be implemented with even
greater determination. We are convinced that collaboration between the
government and the parliament will
allow us to enact necessary laws. We
are far from Euro-romanticism but
instead we focus on Euro-pragmatism.
We are going to take decisive actions
to transform our country into a real
European country. We want to build
Europe in Ukraine”.
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Europe – Central Asia Forum
Europe – Central Asia Forum
comprises
several
debates
attended by representatives of
political elites, heads of central
institutions, representatives of
business and media from Europe
and Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and
Tajikistan.
The importance of Central Asia in
global politics has been significantly growing in recent years.
We need uninhibited dialogue on
how Europeans and Central
Asians need each other and how
the may help each other.
The region’s rich oil and natural
gas deposits are of strategic
importance to the world and
should be regarded as alternative
sources of fuel supplies. This was
one of the issues discussed during the meetings. Others included cooperation and consensus,
political and economic cooperation of Central Asia, development
of civil society institutions, energy
security, religious extremism in
Europe and Asia, war on terrorism, Islamic fundamentalism and
international organized crime.
Erkin Tukumov
Head of Central Asian
Foundation for Developing
Democracy
Danuta Hübner
EU Commissioner for Regional Policy
Rapil Zhoshibayev
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Kazakhstan
Sergey Dyachenko
Deputy Chairman of the
Kazakh Parliament
Andronius Ažubalis Deputy
Chairman of the Committee for
Foreign Affairs of the Parliament
of Lithuania
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Energy Forum
Security of energy supplies and
energy raw materials is one of
the key issues of contemporary
European policy. Decisions as
regards this subject to be made
by the EU must take into consideration interests of all
Member States including new
countries. The EU’s energy policy should be based on the rule
of the whole EU’s solidarity and
loyalty as regards relations with
Russia, which is so strongly
articulated by the new members.
Mirek Topolanek, The Prime Minister of Czech Republic
Owing to its oil and gas deposits as well as attempts to take
over control over distribution network, Russia uses energy as
a political tool for the achievement of its geopolitical objectives. Pressure exerted by Russia causes a great deal of concerns. Therefore, the EU should not stop using and searching for various sources of energy supplies. To quit these
searches would be a major mistake. A mistake that is made
once in a century, but which brings grievous consequences.
Vaira Paegle
Chairman of the Committee for
Foreign Affairs of the Parliament
of Latvia
Edward Chow
Senior Fellow, Centre for
Strategic and International
Studies, USA
Jelena Telegina
A Member of the Board of
Association of Russian Crude Oil
Exporters, Institute of Energy and
Politics, former Minister of Fuels
and Energy of Russian Federation
Flynt Leverett
A former advisor of Condoleezza
Rice on Egypt, Israel, Saudi
Arabia and Syria. He is perceived
as one of the most influential
authors of George W. Bush’s
policy
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School of the Economic Forum
Whilst fulfilling the mission of the Economic Forum, the Eastern Institute launched also
activities targeting at education of modern apolitical public administration officers. We
believe that the effective state and local government administration is essential for introducing reforms and fast growth in the countries of transition. School of the Economic
Forum aims at social and political education as well as cooperation and development of
trust among European nations. The project is primarily addressed to students and young
activists from NGOs as well as representatives of administration and local government.
The partners of the School include: Office of the Commissioner for Civil Rights
Protection, Institute of Russia and Eastern Europe (Jagiellonian University), International
Cultural Centre of Cracow, Department of Local Government Law (Jagiellonian
University), Voivodship of Ma∏oplska and local administration institutions.
School curriculum includes:
■ Practices of European local governments
■ State vs. local government administration
■ Decentralization of public administration
■ Local government vs. local policy and political parties
■ Development of public-private partnership in communes
■ Participation of citizens in public authorities
■ Methods of stimulating activeness of local society,
particularly young people
■ Methods of acquiring assets for local initiatives
■ Education, culture and development of civil society
■ Local civil initiatives, the role of NGOs
Economic Forum of Young Leaders
The Economic Forum of Young Leaders is a partner programme of the Economic Forum
in Krynica. This event is an opportunity for young people from the whole Europe to discuss vital processes taking place on our continent and in the whole world as well as challenges facing the young generation of politicians, economists, entrepreneurs and leaders of NGOs. The Forum features debates on the future of the European Union and its
relations with the neighbouring countries. The Event attracts young leaders of political,
social, non-governmental and economic organizations from 25 European states: Albany,
Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech
Republic, Finland, Georgia, Hungary, Germany, Latvia, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal,
Moldova, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine and Poland.
The attendants to the Forum participate in discussions devoted to the following issues:
■ Values offered by Europe to the World in the 21st century
■ Eastern dimension of the European Union
■ Can Europe become a “Tiger of Economy”?
■ European Union – Russia relations
■ Challenges facing Europe in social, economic and political areas
■ A vision of Europe in 2025
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Economic Forum reports
Among the publications prepared by the Forum, reports hold a special place. For some
years now, the Eastern Institute – an organizer of the Economic Forum, has been publishing immensely popular analytical reports depicting situation in particular regions.
The reports are compiled by independent experts from various research centres. Articles
highlight authors’ own opinions and do not represent views of any public or private institution.
Organizers of the Economic Forum hope that the reports will enhance our knowledge
of political transformation processes in the countries of the transformation region and
expect that the publication will provide a starting point for a discussion about directions
of further development of particular states and regions, just as previous editions did.
Every year, the reports are published by the Eastern Institute. Hitherto, there have been five
editions of the report New Europe. Report on Transformation. This exceptional encyclopaedic publication contains more than 500 pages of analysis of economic and political situation in 27 countries of Central, Eastern and Southern Europe as well as the former Soviet republics, placing particular emphasis on the major economic and political
problems as well as challenges facing individual countries.
Apart from New Europe, there have been three editions of reports dedicated to Russia
and one focusing on Central Asia. The report on Asia is deemed to be one of the Polish
suggestions for Europe, concerning common energy policy. At present, consecutive editions of reports devoted to Ukraine, Russia and Central Asia are being prepared.
Partner
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Wroc∏aw – the meeting place
Wroc∏aw is the fourth biggest city in Poland and the biggest city in the west of the
country. It has a population of over 630 thousand residents actively involved in the life
in city. As the most important city of the Lower Silesia it is its administrative, economic
and cultural capital. It is a city with a history of one thousand years where the heritage
of the past intertwines with modernity of the business center.
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Business center
Wroc∏aw and its environs offer the best climate for foreign investment in Poland. The
Municipality of Wroc∏aw and its partners in neighboring communities constantly strive to
improve their high standards in meeting investor needs. While the agglomeration’s
investors reference list is extensive, the abundant number of Greenfield and Brownfield
sites still on offer means that Wroc∏aw and the region as a whole will continue to maintain their allure as an exciting and profitable location for foreign investors looking to set
up shop in a rapidly developing economy. The agglomeration is also earning a reputation as a dynamic knowledge-driven business center. Hi-tech companies benefit not only
from a large pool of well educated workers, but also from excellent research and scientific facilities in the region. Indeed, in 2005 the Institute for Market Economics ranked
Wroc∏aw second only to Warsaw in terms of attractiveness for cutting-edge technology
investments.
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Academic center
Wroc∏aw is a city with rich scientific traditions. It is one of the largest academic centers in
Poland and Central Europe more than 130,000 students are enrolled at Wroc∏aw’s institutions of higer education, the best-known of which is the 300 – hundred-year-old
University of Wroc∏aw. Wroc∏aw nas been home to a number of Nobel Prize winners.
Wroc∏aw cooperates with German, Ukrainian and Baltic States universities as well as
other universities in Europe under European science and education programmes.
Culture
In recent decades, Wroc∏aw has made significations contributions to world culture primarily through its achievements in modern theater. These include the innovative performances by Jerzy Grotowski and his Laboratory Theater, Henryk Tomaszewski’s world
famous Pantomime Theater and the International Open Theater Festival. The musical traditions of the city, where Chopin, Brahms, and Paganini gave concerts, are still alive
today. The Opera House, the Philharmonic Hall, and Musical Theater host such internationally recognized festivals as Jazz on Odra and Wratislavia Cantans. In addition to
architectural monuments, Wroc∏aw has numerous art galleries and every history lover will
find something of interest at over a dozen museums.
Quality of Life
Wroclaw is one of the most engaging towns in Central Europe, and it’s not rare to find
it compared to Prague. Gothic spires soar into the sky and only three other European
cities can boast more bridges. Dominated by canals and twisting cobbled streets
Wroc∏aw stands out as one of the undisputed highlights of Poland.
Day or night, the city pulses with life. The natural beauty of the surrounding countryside
also makes Wroc∏aw an ideal gateway for weekend excursions or longer vacations.

wnetrze Ukraina 3vers.

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