Steps toward Europe

There are basically two ways of thinking in the approach to Ukraine, especially to Kyiv’s European aspirations, in both Brussels and Warsaw. The first of them, which may be called “small-steps strategy,” consists in concrete joint actions that mostly focus on the economy, with special emphasis on the establishment of a free trade area. Adherents to this concept tend to blame Ukraine for missing the chance of drawing nearer to the European Union after the Orange Revolution. A number of Ukrainian commentators are also taking this concept at face value. On se-cond thought, this view in fact boils down to making Ukraine a good market for European goods or is just a way to ease the conscience of some politicians. Conversely, the second, less popular, concept is based on the experience of integration between Central European countries and EU structures. The followers of this concept believe that what should be a precondition for appeasing Ukrainian aspirations is a big step that Brussels should take: a clear statement that Ukraine stands a real chance to join the EU – perhaps not today or tomorrow but after the clearly-stated requirement have been met. In other words, those who share this viewpoint believe that Europe itself made a mistake by failing to say in no uncertain terms what is in store for Ukraine.

The first round of the presidential elections three weeks ago has been another reminder in the past few years that Ukraine is now a democratic country whose citizens can decide their homeland’s destiny, given a good, by European standards, turnout, and really choose between the programs of parties and candidates. This is undoubtedly a result of the Orange Revolution. This is why, now that Ukrainians are aware that something really depends on their voting, Europe must make a strenuous effort to show due respect for Ukrainian hopes.

Accession to the EU is a many-year project. Bringing a country’s law into line with the EU legislation very often touches upon every resident of this country, while European norms may be a nightmare for some people. This entails inevitable changes (which we know from Polish experience), for instance, in agriculture, civil construction, and scientific research. What will also be a serious challenge is implementation of the Ukrainian law, which will begin as soon as the now-negotiated association agreement comes into force. But signing of this agreement does not automatically mean that there will be accession. Would radical and systemic changes have occurred in Hungary, Poland or Slovakia if the citizens of these countries had not been convinced that they would live a better and more beneficial life in the long run? The European choice should, after all, concern everybody. Would it not be the greatest motivation of you were promised that you could fulfill your personal ambitions and plans the way the French or Spanish do? It is of paramount importance to give a realizable hope to the part of Europe which was under communism for decades and whose societal tissue was seriously damaged. The inevitability of changes connected with accession to the EU means that Brussels should aim its proposal at each and every individual – not only entrepreneurs who will benefit from the free trade area or students will find it easier to study at Oxford or the Sorbonne. All Ukrainians should be signaled that European integration is worthwhile. One should not think that Ukraine will always show high societal support for integration with the EU. Unless there is a certain signal from the Ukrainian elite, integration with the EU will only be popular among those who are used to this slogan as well as those who view the European idea as a chance to reap personal benefits. The disgruntled citizens of Ukraine will begin to ask whether it is worth making an effort if their country seems to be doomed to waiting always in the corridor. Every Ukrainian will then have the right to be disappointed and ask what benefits Ukraine will derive from approaching the EU. Brussels’ failure to make a clear statement on Ukraine’s membership also increases the risk that one day a democratic election in Ukraine will bring to power a force that will call into question the very idea of integration with the European Union. Otherwise, the “small-steps strategy” may result in a still deeper social stratification in Ukraine because it will be strengthening only a small number of social groups, while the other will remain doubtful about the equality of their chances. Is it in the interests of European countries to have an Eastern neighbor with a dramatically stratified society, grinding poverty, and outdated technologies? This is why a “reasonable modernization” of Ukraine is the interests of not only Ukrainians. This demands that European politicians make a solemn promise of membership, while elites on the banks of the Dnieper should resolutely seek this kind of promise.

It is a good question whether the strategy of small steps can be combined with that of open doors in the case of Ukraine. These approaches should not contradict one another – with one reservation at that. We must admit that Kyiv first needs one big step on the part of Europe and a deal with Brussels which will mean that, working on a liberal visa treatment or an association or Eastern partnership treaty, we are in fact speaking about the EU’s eastward expansion. It is high time to say this openly. The absence of such a declaration does not help Ukrainians build a better society and Ukrainian politicians work out a program for Ukraine: they are always running the risk of Brussels rejecting their proposals and just saying “no because no.” This is also a warning that Ukrainian elites should help those Europeans who assist Ukraine, formulate their political program in clear-cut terms, and present their country’s ambitions in an easy-to-grasp manner. I might say that Ukraine must fly up towards Europe on two wings. One of them symbolizes specific projects aimed at specific groups, i.e., all kinds of small steps, while the other is a metaphorical determination of Ukraine’s political ambitions – it is the promise that the EU is open. It takes both of these wings to fly up.

Pawel Kowal is head of the European Parliament delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC)