Antanas VALIONIS: “The success of a policy depends on the precision of choice”
Late last week Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Antanas VALIONIS arrived in Ukraine. As Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Press Service Chief Markiyan Lubkivsky announced previously, as part of his visit Antanas Valionis was to meet with the country’s leadership to discuss prospects for Ukrainian-Lithuanian cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural spheres. As The Day learned from sources at the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, Minister Valionis was also slated to discuss issues of Euroatlantic integration and interregional cooperation. Vilnius has consistently supported Ukraine’s integration with the EU and NATO. Lithuanian politicians’ forecasts in this connection are objective, albeit more optimistic than those of some representatives of West European countries. This year Lithuania became a full member of the European Union and NATO, which gives Kyiv even more reason to heed the opinion of its Baltic partner.
“How does Vilnius evaluate the influence of Ukraine’s participation in the Single Economic Space on its prospects for European integration? What is its attitude toward the changes that were made to Ukraine’s military doctrine?”
“It’s normal for every country to determine the directions of its policy, and Ukraine’s choice is its sovereign right. On the other hand, the success of a policy depends on the precision of choice. From my country’s experience I know what successful European integration means in practice. This is not beautiful political rhetoric, but time-consuming, complex work. Yet the result is worth it, believe me. The main thing is not to waste time.”
“In your opinion, why do Brussels officials keep avoiding granting Ukraine market economy status? Why don’t they ever mention the possibility of free trade or the target date for Ukraine’s associate membership?”
“I agree that the declaration of the prospects for a free trade zone and, subsequently, for associate membership is a key issue for your country. Since Ukraine’s market economy status and accession to the World Trade Organization are a precondition for launching a free trade dialog between the EU and Ukraine, integration in this sphere should begin with resolving these two issues.
“I am very happy to note Ukraine’s progress in this sphere. Whereas until recently the European Commission report pointed to five obstacles to granting market economy status to Ukraine, now only two remain, i.e., the need to reduce the level of government price regulation and improve bankruptcy legislation.”
“Don’t you think our Western partners, primarily West European countries, are somewhat shortsighted in adopting a rigid policy toward Ukraine without any clear signals regarding the specific dates and models for Ukraine’s relationship with NATO and the EU?”
“In answering this question, I must repeat that Lithuania actively supports Ukraine’s European integration, in particular the idea to give Ukraine clearer signals regarding the specific target dates and models of its relationship with the EU and NATO. I have always said that it is not enough for Ukraine to realize its Euroatlantic interest. The EU and NATO must also understand Ukraine’s interest in drawing closer to these structures.
“Even though European integration is a two-way street, nobody will be able to bring Ukraine closer to Euroatlantic structures than Ukraine itself-by clearly determining its foreign policy and proceeding with its reforms. Only Ukraine can determine the target dates and schedules for its EU accession. Before setting any specific dates, we must all be certain that they will be met.”
