Anatoly ZLENKO: “Ukraine and the EU can hear each other better”

After the recent meeting of EU troika and Ukraine in Madrid, there have been repeated statements about a “new EU-Ukrainian situation” calling for Ukraine’s associate membership. Foreign Minister Anatoly Zlenko has reiterated this, and The Day asked him to explain the situation and whether it could change the consequences of EU expansion that have long been described as negative for this country.

“The negative consequences of EU expansion were one of the key issues discussed with the EU Troika,” said Minister Zlenko, “and I’m glad to know that the Spanish chairman included them in the draft work plan on Ukraine’s initiative. While EU expansion is approaching, we must enunciate our interests in the new Europe, that Ukraine must be involved in and with it in every way possible. This is precisely what we’re doing now. The main characteristic of the new situation is that Ukrainian-EU relations are becoming significantly deeper and more pragmatic. Ukraine and the EU can hear each other better. The situation has improved primarily thanks to Ukraine’s obvious attainments in the economic domain and its balanced foreign policy. Today we have a broader range of cooperation; at the same time, we are working in a more purposeful way. For example, last June a meeting of the Council for Ukrainian-EU Cooperation clearly defined the guidelines of this cooperation, and we’re following them. The G Ъ teborg summit invited Ukraine to take part in the European conference. We did so last October and joined the European community of nations in a resolute stand against international terrorism. Finally, a joint action plan was approved in December in the sphere of justice and internal affairs. This was an important and long awaited step forward, considerably expanding the scope of Ukrainian-EU strategic partnership. The new tone in our dialogue was confirmed by German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and former Italian Foreign Minister Renato Ruggiero. On the whole, I can hardly imagine Ukraine evading visa procedures with the new EU members, but making these procedures flexible and liberal to the greatest possible extent is an absolutely realistic goal. We are working on it. Incidentally, Ukraine’s progress toward the WTO will automatically eliminate unwelcome consequences for our trade cooperation with current and future EU members. Moreover, it will bring us closer to the creation of a free trade zone with the Union. Let me stress that our EU partners treat our problems with understanding and in a way are making concessions even now.”

The most important political signal from the European Union was that it really appreciates Ukraine’s economic progress, particularly the laying of solid foundations for a market economy and its being prepared to look for solutions to the problems of trade exchanges with other European countries. The next round of Ukrainian-EU consultations is expected this February, concerning Ukraine’s WTO membership. Much will depend on the outcome.