ECONOMIC CONTACTS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND GERMANY MAY LOSE THEIR DYNAMIC -

Q.: "Thank you, Helmut, but this is enough!" - this was one of the main slogans that the Social-Democrats won the election with. What meaning may the end of the "Kohl era" have for your country's foreign policy and German-Ukrainian relations as well?

A.: In regard with the foreign political course, Gerhard SchrЪder declared immediately after the election that no substantial changes would to be expected. This means continuity in establishing relations with Central and Eastern European countries. I see Ukraine in this context, too.

At the same time, we have to be aware of the fact that it will take some time for German and Ukrainian leaders to establish the same kind of personal trust similar to that which existed earlier. We think that there is a need for fruitful contacts to be established immediately after a new federal government is formed, which is expected to take place within the nearest few months.

Q.: Mr. Ambassador, would you tell us about German businessmen's reaction to the financial and economic slump in Ukraine?

A.: The economic contacts between our countries had been constantly growing until very recently. However, I am afraid that now they may lose their positive dynamic. Actually, it is already happening. Many entrepreneurs along with investors are playing the waiting game. Of course, our business circles would like to hope the situation in Ukraine will improve. But the question is, how much time will it take?

Q.: Thus, in this context it is important to keep previous agreements. For instance, a new agreement has been reached recently in which Germany promised to allocate costs for utilizing another group of silos for ballistic missiles.

A.: Indeed, on September 16 an agreement on financing the utilization of nine silos for SS-24 missiles in 1999-2001 was signed in Bonn. Germany gave a sign that it plans to continue its participation in the project which our country launched in 1994. 18 silos of this type are being utilized today with German ecologically safe technology.

Q.: What do Germans think about the possibility for new dividing lines in Europe? Such prospects are realistic for Ukraine concerning Poland's future admission to the EU and the introduction of visa barriers by our neighbors in accordance to Schengen norms.

A.: I can understand why many people in Ukraine are concerned about this. However, it is not worth using the term "dividing lines." Both the European Union and Ukraine are working intensively toward widening and deepening their relationship. Just take for example the cooperation agreement that came into force on March 1 this year.

We should consider all the factors together. There is no doubt that with Poland admitted to the EU a new border and customs regime based on Schengen agreements will be introduced. However, it will take some time for the agreements to come into force. That time will help you to get adopted.

It is fitting that EU countries and Germany in particular, having secured their external borders, would not like this process to be accepted as an unfriendly act. It is just a normal extrapolation of the defense of internal borders onto external ones. Considering that the EU membership list has the potential to expand in the future, we are working out acceptable decisions in the spirit of preventive diplomacy.