Jacques Chirac seems to have accomplished in Kyiv everything he was supposed to. He met all the top local officials, with Leonid Kuchma he even had a "no neckties" meeting in Zalissia, he gave a speech at the university, did not forget to hail the recent Kuchma edicts, and declared his wish to help Ukraine receive an IMF loan.
The most important thing that the both sides have agreed on is the establishing of a joint committee on economic issues (however, there was a plan to construct a consulting mechanism between both presidents, but apparently it is not yet time) and a decision to hold next year a festival of Ukrainian culture in Paris.
Yet, Chirac promised Kuchma to initiate a special G-7 session on financing completion on the new blocks of the Khmelnytsky and Rivne nuclear power plants. This, in its turn, will enable Ukraine to close the Chornobyl plant on the fixed date, by the end of 2000. It was France who has demanded it most actively.
"We in France hear very well what is being said in Ukraine", said Chirac at a press-conference. Apparently, Kyiv's resentment at being omitted by the French leaders had been taken into consideration. Still, too many general words have been said. Thus, it is impossible yet to talk about a revolution in our relationship.
Indeed, Chirac repeatedly said that there is a "spirit of trust" toward Ukraine in France. However, French business also needs to make certain of this. And now it keeps vigilant watch on the Lafarge trial in Ukraine. It won a tender in Lviv oblast and has been unable to implement it.
France, according to its President, wants to see Ukraine a strong country but the latter itself has to make some efforts to this end, and Paris will then support Ukraine's aspirations for associate membership in the European Union. Yet, France asserts it is ready to build Europe with no borders. But Ukraine needs to grow up a little bit more — to adapt to EU requirements, etc.
In addition, the presidents discussed the AN-70 aircraft chances in France. As the Ukrainian government thinks, the chances that Ukraine jointly with Russia and Daimler Benz Aerospace wins a tender early next year are very high because AN-70 characteristics are better than those of the American C-130 and the cost is lower.
And that's all. The main thing about Chirac's visit is that it was first and, probably, not the last. And the first step is always the hardest.







