European Integration Commissioner Appointed

On February 16, the Ukrainian leadership made a decision to move in the direction of its European choice and translate their long-winded words into deeds. To quote Anatoly Orel, chief of the foreign policy department at the Presidential Administration, to this end the first session of the State Council for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration was held on February 6. Incidentally, President Kuchma signed the decree foreseeing the creation of this body back on August 30 last year. More than a week ago, he signed a new document actually setting up the State Council to coordinate Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO.

What is the reason behind such an interval between the signing of the two decrees? According to Mr. Orel, the president signed the second decree when “all shortcomings of the previous one had been eliminated.” Experts think it likely that the Kolchuga scandal stood in the way of this decision, since the first accusations of Ukraine’s alleged violation of the UN Security Council sanctions came from the US in September last year. Be that as it may, the Ukrainian leadership is emphasizing its desire to move in the direction of its foreign policy goals no matter what. “Being the president, I am fully and personally responsible for Ukraine’s movement toward European and Euro- Atlantic integration,” Pres. Kuchma stressed at the opening of the first State Council session. He went on to say that he remains true to his belief that “there is no alternative to Ukraine’s European choice.” As instructed by the president, the State Council will meet on a quarterly basis, with its members reporting on the progress made. According to Mr. Orel, the State Council has already approved the NATO-Ukraine Action Plan and the Target Action Plan for 2003. It will be recalled that these two documents had been signed by Kyiv and Brussels representatives back in November last year.

By decision of the State Council, Ukraine has got one more official with the word integration in the name of his post. First Vice Premier Mykola Azarov has been appointed Commissioner for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Two years ago it was rumored that a ministry for European integration would be created in Ukraine. Eventually, this idea sank into oblivion. However, ever since new “integration” posts and departments have been mushrooming in Ukraine. Take, for instance, the Minister for the Economy and Integration with Europe, the Foreign Ministry State Secretary for European Integration, the National Center for European Integration, and the State Council for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Now this list has been extended to include the Commissioner for European Integration.