Polish ambassador’s Lviv debut

LVIV — Poland expects the new enhanced Association Agreement to be signed by Ukraine and the EU during its presidency, as planned. A statement to this effect was made by Polish Ambassador Henryk Litwin when making his presentation “Eastern Partnership: Expanded Cooperation Opportunities” at Lviv’s Ivan Franko National University. In fact, it was the newly appointed ambassador’s first public appearance in Ukraine. He emphasized that Poland would ensure favorable conditions for Ukraine’s accession to the deep and comprehensive free trade area (FTA Plus).

Litwin stressed that reforms, European standards, fresh initiatives, and partnership relations with countries interested in long-term collaboration remained among the EU’s top priorities in regard to the Eastern Partnership member states. He also noted that Ukraine, “if it is prepared to do so, can move quicker toward European integration, without waiting for other countries involved in this program.” He believes that various programs meant for small and medium businesses, along with financial aid from the European Investment Bank (considering that it is geared to boost foreign investment in the Eastern Partnership countries), will help upgrade Ukraine’s economy: “Poland will direct the EU to channel more funds to the countries that lead the reform process.”

Litwin went on to say that support for reforms in Ukraine and increasing Polish investments were on his list of priorities as ambassador, and then agreed to answer several questions.

When will Ukraine be able to have a visa-free regime with the EU?

“Ukraine can have visa-free access to EU countries, but this process will take time. How long it will take will depend on the efforts of the current [Ukrainian] government. Ukraine must show the EU a list of reforms that have been carried out to secure this visa-free access. There are technicalities in the first place, like those regarding passports and biometrics. It seems that these problems can be solved. Poland supports the idea of an open Europe, stressing its own positive experience of visa-free procedures, specifically with regard to Ukraine.”

Ukraine-Poland relations can serve as a good example for many countries in terms of solving historical issues. Despite their many troubles, the two countries have agreed on the forgive-and-ask-forgiveness principle. Yet a number of experts are talking about Poland adopting a more aggressive attitude toward Ukraine. Is this really the case?

“I am opposed to the allegation that our current relations aren’t as active as they were under Presidents Kwasniewski and Kaczynski. Indeed, they began on a lively note, but one ought to remember what has come to pass since the start of 2010. [Since then] the presidents and prime ministers of both states have met several times. Cooperation has been steady on other levels, particularly in terms of infrastructure. Yesterday [April 6] I spoke with the co-chairman of the Poland-Ukraine Cooperation Committee. He confirmed that the next bilateral cooperation meeting is slated for this May.”

Poland joined the EU relatively recently. Do the Poles feel that they are full-fledged members of the European community?

“By and large, Poland stood much to lose by joining the EU. One has to firmly determine what gains there are in order to get something in return. While joining the EU, the Polish economy was in for some direct benefits. At the same time, we had to sever certain foreign [trade] contacts. The EU strategy doesn’t provide for specific conditions.

“There is no problem about the people who feel skeptical or elated about Ukraine’s EU membership. There are member countries that support various rates of this process. At the moment, it is important for Ukraine to dissolve any doubts. You have to determine what you can stand to lose. Otherwise, you’ll have to look for other options.”

The Day’s FACT FILE

Henryk Litwin, Ph.D. in History, Warsaw University, and Ukraine expert. In 1988, he defended the doctorate “Polish Szlachta Influx to Ukraine in 1569-1648” and embarked on a diplomatic career in 1991. He has since been posted to the Polish embassies and consulates in Lviv, Rome, and Moscow. He has served as Polish Ambassador to Belarus. Litwin was also Poland’s first Consul General posted to Lviv.