On the EU’s philosophy and positive atmosphere

The other day Managing Director for Russia, Eastern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans in the EU’s External Action Service, the main EU’s parliamentary in the Association Agreement talks with Ukraine Miroslav Lajcak visited Kyiv to take part in the 20th round of talks. Despite his tight schedule of negotiations and meetings with the Ukrainian officials he found time to give an interview to The Day just after the talks finished.

Is this anniversary round of talks the last one as many people hoped?

“No, it is not. We will have to continue this process. That is why it was not the last round of the talks.”

Why?

“There are many problems we have to discuss.”

What are they? Could you specify?

“I have to say that negotiations are confidential. That is why one cannot expect that the parties will discuss their details in public. However, both the EU and Ukraine know well what questions they have to agree on.”

In his interview to the media the head of the Ukrainian negotiation group, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin called the Association Agreement “empty” if it does not include the membership prospect for Ukraine. What do you think about it?

“It is a very substantial and important agreement making a path to the political association and economic integration and giving Ukraine a possibility to become a part of the European market and access to the EU programs and funds. That is why this agreement is very meaningful. At the same time we have to be very clear: this Agreement concerns the political association and economic integration. This is not an agreement on membership or accession. The question of membership has to be considered and agreed on the higher political level and not through the Association Agreement or Comprehensive Free Trade Zone. We say that is not a place to consider this question.”

Some sources in Brussels insist that Ukraine’s attempts to include the membership prospect into the preamble of the Association Agreement is a “sabotage” aiming at blaming the EU if the Association Agreement is not signed.

“I do not believe in collusion theory. I have heard these rumors but I do not confirm this theory. Now we are intensively exchanging our views. Obviously, Ukraine is trying to get as much as possible from this agreement. At the same time we do not resist but say that we have to stick to the mandate of this Agreement and its framework.”

You said that it is not the last round of talks. What is the next step and when will it be taken?

“After yesterday’s round of talks we agreed to get back to a number of issues, continue formal contacts either on the sub-groups level or on the level of the main negotiators. The contacts at the highest level are also very important in order to make clear some of the unresolved questions of the Agreement. We are ready to meet Viktor Yanukovych any time condition given that the atmosphere will favor the progress in these questions.”

Is it true that Yanukovych will be invited to visit Brussels in mid-November?

“We are not discussing the terms of the meeting but its quality. We want these discussions to happen in a positive atmosphere.”

Last March you said that “the year 2011 is a crucial one for the relations between Ukraine and the EU.” Could you tell our readers what the Ukrainians will lose if the Association Agreement is not signed?

“I would like to paraphrase this question. What will the Ukrainians win if this Agreement is signed? Obviously, they will have the European market and the European space open in many areas. This Agreement will make Europe closer to Ukraine and vice versa; it concerns different sectors: public health, transport, energy, agriculture, etc. We are speaking about free trade, barriers removal and enormous possibilities for the modernization of Ukraine and its economy. We are speaking about enormous possibilities for the Ukrainians to visit the EU more freely, participate in most EU’s programs and initiatives and get important help in the realization of the reforms started in Ukraine. The EU offers its knowledge, financial and administrative support for the successful realization of these reforms. As a representative of Slovakia [Lajcak is former Slovakian foreign minister. – Author] I can say that successful Slovakia’s transformation into a modern European country receiving large direct foreign investments and making part of the Eurozone and Shengen zone would not have been possible without EU’s help. This is what we are offering to Ukraine.”

It is known that one of the barriers for signing the Association Agreement is settling Tymoshenko’s case. During the meeting of the Ukrainian president with his European counterparts this agreement was supposedly reached. However, the representatives of the government and the governing coalition assert that Yanukovych did not promise to release the former prime minister. We would like to hear from you the EU’s opinion about it.

“Let’s not stick to any names. I do not want to give an impression that the EU is obsessed with one person or another. The EU is worried about Ukraine’s destiny and is intently watching the process concerning the former prime minister. Obviously, everyone expects this process to meet the European standards that are well-known. Meanwhile, the EU countries and the European institutions including the European Parliament think that these standards were not fulfilled. Obviously, it creates the atmosphere that significantly complicates the process of political association and economic integration. The EU never tells its partners what to do. The EU speaks about problems and hopes that its partners will find the way how to solve them in the European way.”

You have probably heard that the First Vice Premier Serhii Tihipko said in his interview to The Day that if Ukraine hears “no” from the EU it might consider the option of entering the Customs Union. How would you comment it?

“First of all, we develop our relations including the talks concerning the Association Agreement based on clearly stated and often repeated commitments of the Ukrainian pre-sident and government concerning the choice Ukraine has made. It wants to approach the EU and become a part of the European political and cultural space. We are serious people and we believe that these commitments are also serious and they form the basis of our negotiations.

“It is Ukraine’s choice: to be a part of the European or some other space. We act accordingly. The EU has never asked any country to be a part of this space. It is your decision. If someone believes that you can stand at a crossroads and wait for the best offer and make decisions based on it, it is not our philosophy. We hear when you say that you want to be closer to the EU. At this stage we offer you the Association Agreement, open our market and hope that you will act according to your declarations and obligations. It is a correct philosophy and you can be sure that we will do our part of homework since we always do it.”

You have previously said that the EU has to continue insisting on important reforms in Ukraine, in particular, judicial, electoral and constitutional ones. Have you seen any progress in these areas?

“Obviously, there is some progress. However, we would like to see more progress. It is important for us that you realize the reforms based on the recommendations Ukraine has received from corresponding European bodies. These recommendations have to be used completely and not selectively. These processes are extremely important for the whole society and they have to develop inclusively and transparently. It means that the political opposition and public society have to make part of this process since it influences the whole society in your country.”

Some of the Ukrainian experts claim that the EU is setting more and more requirements for Ukraine and gives few incentives instead. Probably, the indirect membership prospect should be given?

“The EU is very consistent and will remain the same. We do not shift goals, do not set new requirements and do not go back on our promises. We know what the Association Agreement is about. We are trying to offer the best agreement possible. Practically, the agreement we are discussing is the best Association Agreement. It offers Ukraine more than it has offered other countries. Ukraine can achieve a lot as a result of this process. This is a mutual commitment. At the same time Ukraine wants to be closer to the EU. It is not an agreement between two enemies that want to meet in the middle. Ukraine considers the European model the most acceptable and wants to make part of this system. Obviously, Ukraine wants to adopt the European legislative and political model on its own free will. Not the EU is going to join Ukraine. Instead, at this stage the EU is ready to make Ukraine an associate partner and nobody says that it is the last stage.”

What do you think about the prospect of the Association Agreement signing? Will it be initialed during the December EU-Ukraine summit as it has been previously planned?

“We should be concerned on the quality of the agreement and not on its terms. We should not stick to the calendar. We want this document to be good both for Ukraine and the EU.”

Do you think the Ukrainian elite has understood what it can lose if the Association Agreement is not signed?

“This year Ukraine received the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barossa. During this visit the president Yanukovych clearly declared that the European Union is his strategic choice and orientation. Secondly, all the surveys demonstrate that the major part of the Ukrainians sincerely support this orientation of your country. I have no doubts that your leaders know what your people aspire to. This is my answer to your question.”