France: Cherchez l’Ukraine?
After the so-called tapegate, France has seen a drastic drop in the number of people who think that Ukraine borders, say, on Libya. It is difficult, of course, to find any deeper knowledge of our country outside French government buildings, for those who occupy ministerial offices know much more than those on the street. They take interest in the successes of the new Ukrainian premier but even more so in the forthcoming March parliamentary elections. Communicating with French officials, you often gain the impression that in their eyes a new Ukrainian intrigue is unfolding in Paris: “Why has Ukraine not yet appointed an ambassador to France?” the French ask, blushing with curiosity. Is it true that Anatoly Zlenko is going to return to Paris after the presidential elections? The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in reply that they are still looking for a suitable candidate to be ambassador in such an important country as France.
Ukraine’s desire to join the European Union raises no objections in France, officials claim. Incidentally, Paris is actively lobbying Rumania’s EU membership. However, you will hear nothing radically new from French diplomats about Ukraine’s prospects in terms of relations with the European Union: in theory, any country can become a European Union member, but in practice, it requires meeting the so-called Copenhagen criteria (democracy, an open market, legislation adapted to European law). Although it is too early to speak about associate membership because Ukraine has not yet fulfilled all the provisions of its partnership and cooperation treaty with the EU, but the situation could change radically 15-20 years later (see item one).
Traditionally associating East Europe with Russia, France has long maintained close, if not always warm, relations with the latter. French officials say that, although they do not consider Ukraine part of the Russian problem, it is impossible for Paris and harmful for Kyiv not to take into account the interests of Moscow. It is up to Ukraine alone, “your problem,” to quote French diplomats, to decide what kind of relations to build with Russia.
That Russian capital predominates among foreign investments in Ukraine is Ukraine’s own choice, Paris believes, admitting that French companies are not exactly bursting to invest in our businesses. The French choice follows from their unwillingness to take risks. French diplomats reiterate that businessmen will come running our way when we first create an investment-friendly climate and keep the invested money from being stolen. The former are pleased to note the increased supplies of Ukrainian forage grain to France. Yet, the slogan, Buy Ukrainian, kindles little, if any, enthusiasm in the non-governmental defenders of the French producer, with ships laden with Ukrainian grain often facing angry protesters in ports.
While Ukrainian call girls stir no protests in French society, they are a real problem for police, the French Internal Affairs Ministry claims. Although some prostitutes arrive illegally, many of them come to Nice quite legally on a tourist visa, which they renew on time, and return to Ukraine. Prostitution is banned in the country, as is pimping, in which our compatriots have not been noticeably involved. The ministry and parliament are sure that the Ukrainian meat market on French streets is a bad thing, but they do not know how to combat it. Asked if the French Interior Ministry tried to cooperate with their Ukrainian counterparts to solve this problem as well as to establish control over illegal migration, French law enforcement officials answer that they have not tried to contact the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
It is members of the French parliament who seem to be most optimistic about the development of Ukrainian-French relations and the prospects of Ukrainian integration into Europe. The French Senate has formed a France-Ukraine friendship group headed by an experienced senator and diplomat Patrice Gelard, complementing another 29 similar friendship groups with various countries. Both the Senate and the National Assembly of France are well-informed about the coming elections to Verkhovna Rada. “We are convinced your elections will be more democratic than in Belarus” is a phrase most often heard from French parliament members and diplomats.
The number of French experts actively dealing with Ukrainian problems is extremely limited. Against the backdrop of its traditional interest in North Africa and the Mediterranean, French interest in Ukraine is not terribly noticeable, to put it mildly, while the conclusions of some experts are rather objectionable.
In addition, one must remember that in some sectors, such as the aeronautical and space industries and agriculture, France inevitably looks upon Ukraine as a rival, which, coupled with inertia of thinking, can hardly promote rapprochement. Ukraine simply remains unknown, often through its own fault, missing opportunities to at least be reckoned with.
