Jaroslaw KSIAZEK: “You Can’t Avoid Shocks upon Entering the EU”
Ukraine has been enjoying worldwide popularity lately. So it is no wonder that Poland, whose history has been inseparably linked with this country for many centuries, showed an interest in the events that occurred during the Orange Revolution. The year 2004, which was the Year of Poland in Ukraine, was also significant for the Poles because that was when they were admitted to the European Union. 2005 has been officially proclaimed the Year of Ukraine in Poland. Jaroslaw KSIAZEK, Consul-General of the Republic of Poland in Kharkiv, shares his opinion with The Day about what has happened in Ukrainian-Polish relations in the past year and what can be expected in the future.
“The Year of Poland in Ukraine is over. What are the end results in the Kharkiv region?”
“First of all, I must say that the sphere of my jurisdiction includes not only Kharkiv oblast but six other eastern oblasts: Poltava, Sumy, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk. One of the main goals of the Year of Poland in Ukraine was to popularize the achievements of Polish culture. Unlike politics, not everyone who is involved in culture is an expert, but it mirrors the heart of a nation. Poles have a better understanding of Ukraine’s western regions, which are situated closer to the border of my country, and their culture and lifestyle, while the eastern regions seem so far-away to them and, to some extent, ‘strange.’ I have always wanted to work in the east but close to my country. My last posting was Poland’s deputy ambassadorship in South Korea, so I was very pleased to learn that I was appointed Consul-General of the Republic of Poland in Kharkiv because I had read about Kharkiv when I was a history student at Warsaw University. What aroused my special interest at the time was the fact that there were a lot of similar things in the history of our countries. We have always — not just this year — been making efforts to bridge the gap between Poland and Eastern Ukraine. Our consulate’s task is to show Poland that these regions are the country’s economic center, not the hinterland. I think we are succeeding in this with every passing year, all the more so as recent events have spurred not only the public but also investors to demonstrate a greater interest in Ukraine.”
“Ukraine and Poland have made a Herculean effort to relax the visa regime. Are there still any problems and if so, how are they being resolved?”
“Our consulate-general usually issues visas to the residents of seven oblasts, and I must say that in comparison with the western regions, there is no great rush here. We issue about 50-70 visas a day. The consulate has no difficulties in issuing visas, and we are always doing our best to satisfy those who want to take a closer look at our country. Most people from eastern Ukraine travel to Poland as tourists. As for me, I’ve been trying — and successfully so — to make sure that the visa regime between Ukraine and Poland is convenient and routine.”
“What are the prospects for solving the problem of the legal status of our labor migrants? Does the Polish side have any data on their numbers?”
“I personally have no information about the number of Ukrainians who came to Poland to earn a living, either legally or illegally. The Polish authorities do not mete out any special punishment to Ukrainians even if they have overstayed their welcome. Those who arrive in Poland from eastern Ukraine are usually ‘shuttle traders,’ who come in groups, do not stay too long there, and know how to stand up for themselves. There are far more serious problems with western Ukrainians, who travel abroad for a long period of time. In any case, if someone is in Poland on a legal basis, the state will help that individual; we have special organizations that do this. Otherwise, like in any other state, this kind of individual will have to leave the country.”
“ Ukrainians have often been scared into believing that the Poles have a wretched life after joining the European Union. What is really going on in Poland and what should Ukraine be afraid of?”
“Poland joined the European Union less than a year ago, so it is too early to speak about results or a crisis. Polish products sell quite well on Western markets. Of course, prices have gone up slightly, which may be a problem for those Poles who live in cities. In the agricultural sector, which was once fiercely critical of EU membership, it is now much more optimistic. Farms are now receiving direct subsidies. Of course, in Western Europe these subsidies are almost twice as high, but even this amount is better than nothing. I should mention that bureaucracy is far more tangled in Europe than in Poland, but whoever is able to prepare all documents will get money for being a farmer. In all likelihood, this amount will increase in a few years. Maybe the point is not money, but it was a crucial factor that made people understand the simple truth that they had nothing before joining the EU and now they have something. But Polish society is still rife with all kinds of contradictory opinions, and most discussions focus on the country’s future in the European Union.”
“How long do you think it will take Ukraine to get ready for EU accession with minimal losses for its economy?”
“I cannot answer this question as an official representative of the Polish state. In my personal view, Ukraine must not only have a desire but also take specific actions if it really wants to join the European Union. It is impossible to avoid shocks when you are about to enter the EU. There is a rather high level of unemployment in Poland, but its people live better than the citizens of many other eastern countries. Most Poles have been taking a unanimous stand since 1989: we must go to the European Union! Ukrainian society is still of two minds about EU membership. I must emphasize that the Poles looked west not just to spite somebody but because they were interested in joining the European Union. Then a number of quite unexpected problems came up, for example, in the restructuring of the banking and financial sectors. We’ve been waiting for 15 years, so we are sure to cope with these problems, too. I would like to say to Ukraine, ‘First you must want to!’ I think you should try. We joined the EU for the sake of Poland’s interests, which we are still successfully defending. During the Ukrainian election race I saw placards frightening the people into thinking that NATO and the EU would only bring unemployment, problems, prostitution, and oppression. I will say this: I’ve seen the same sort of thing in Polish museum exhibitions about the 1950s. I’ve also heard that NATO’s military machine is threatening Ukraine’s borders. All you must do is show that Europe is not an enemy but a likely ally and partner which, incidentally, lives much better. Experience has shown that this ‘enemy’ has come, but life goes on, not without its problems, of course.”
