On the eve of the German national holiday celebrated on October 3, German
Unity Day, Dr. Eberhard Heyken, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador
of Germany to Ukraine answered The Day's questions.
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.







