Three points on the German agenda

Germany is a very important political and economic actor in the European Union and internationally. Ukraine is only too well aware of this. This may well be the reason why President Yanukovych paid his first official visit to Germany after the summer vacation on August 30. What gestures on his part did Berlin see prior to this visit? What are the prospects of German-Ukrainian relationships in general and Ukraine’s European prospects in particular? More on this in the following interview with Dr. Hans-Jurgen HEIMSOETH, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Ukraine. (Note please that the interview took place prior to President Yanukovych’s visit to Germany.)

Mr. Ambassador, what does Berlin expect from President Yanukovych’s visit?

“I would single out three issues. First, it is Ukraine’s clear-cut course on the European Union. Second, there is an increasing degree of confidence that the democratic process will continue and will be enhanced. In particular, I mean the freedom of speech and human rights. Third, this visit is expected to give an impetus to bilateral economic relations. Germany sees itself as Ukraine’s partner in maintaining the required economic reforms, and expects fresh dynamics in the development of investments and trade relations.”

Does the German side regard Ukraine’s desire to be granted visa-free entry to the EU countries before the Euro 2012 championships as realistic?

“Objectives should be set, of course, but I wouldn’t harbor big expectations, considering that there have been frequent disappointments.”

Is Germany disappointed by recent events in Ukraine? I mean the attempt of a certain individual rubbing elbows with those in power to get hold of two television channels through the courts, as well as the enactment of the law on local elections that met with criticism in Ukraine and abroad.

“It is necessary to bear in mind two issues. On the one hand, freedom of the press is important and it is necessary to closely follow what’s actually happening. In my opinion, everything cannot be summed up in a single issue. The matter of local elections is in a different plane, on a different level. It is true that we have been closely following this bill and I am glad that the president showed his initiative in order to have the problematic clauses changed. This is a good sign on the eve of his visit. It would serve Ukraine to have these local elections held in keeping with the highest standards.”

Mr. Ambassador, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the Lange affair has been closed. Is it really so, considering that the director of the Konrad Foundation’s Kyiv office was arrested in Boryspil [by the SBU Ukrainian secret police on June 26]? You must’ve heard statements by certain Ukrainian analysts, to the effect that Merkel shouldn’t welcome Yanukovych in view of this incident.

“After that incident Niko Lange has several times visited and left Ukraine unimpeded, so there is no acute problem here. On the other hand, certain important political circles in Germany are under the impression that German political foundations aren’t too popular in Ukraine. I think this visit should serve to change this impression, once and for all.”

A number of analysts in the West, as well as in Ukraine, are worried about the Ukrainian government obviously intending to follow into the footsteps of its Russian counterpart, considering that at one time Kremlin also started by getting the media under control, closing foreign foundations, enforcing restrictions on NGOs. Are there such misgivings in Germany?

“Comparisons are always faulty. From what I know, the Adenauer Foundation has an office in Russia.”

What can the European Union do for the Ukrainian government (with its repeated declarations on European integration) to actually implement a European model of administration, adhere to the European principles of democracy, and ensure the freedoms of speech and assembly, instead of trying to achieve stability using the Russian model of sovereign democracy?

“In fact, this is a choice to be made by the Ukrainian people. This is not for us but for the people to decide. I believe that, by electing Viktor Yanukovych as president, the Ukrainian people didn’t change the direction of its progress, considering that the president has repeatedly proclaimed his intent to continue to move in the direction of the European Union.

We’ve heard a lot of late about Germany’s role in getting the EU out of the crisis, particularly in saving Greece. George Soros, Chairman of Soros Fund Management, LLC, said in an interview with Die Zeit that Germany is ruining the European Union and the euro, adding that the German policy is a threat to Europe because it can destroy the European project; that Germany’s efforts to lower the neighboring countries’ budget deficit can result in a long-term stagnation or even worse. Would you care to comment on this?

“I’m not commenting on statements made by financial jugglers. They have their own interests. Mr. Soros is a very clever and experienced man. Apparently, he had his reasons for making this statement. Germany has so far correctly solved the problem of securing its economic stability. It would be a mistake to expect Germany to come up with an irresponsible fiscal policy — and this actually does not correspond to the essence of Germany as a guarantor of stability. At one time this essence served to strengthen the Deutschemark and today it will help the eurozone overcome the crisis.”

How do you feel about Western press reports concerning negative prospects for the EU. The Czech Ekonom carried an article entitled “The Fall of the European Empire” that compares the European Union with the Roman Empire. Zbigniew Brzezinski said in an interview that the EU is disintegrating. Is the European project actually threatened?

“Doubtlessly there have been problems with the euro of late. However, I must say that I have heard about the decline of Europe and the European Union on more occasions than I care to remember. Fortunately, the European economy pays no attention to such horror tales. The EU economic indices showed serious growth in the last quarter and Germany, with its 2.2 percent increment, has been the motor behind this growth, and not only in Europe. The European institutions are strong and they have performed well in a critical situation. Of course, one should hope that appropriate conclusions will be made from the events of recent weeks and that the obvious EU holes will be patched. One ought to realize that the problems of financial markets have nothing to do with the European Union. These are global problems. In this case it is important for those countries that didn’t want stronger coordination, and where the situation isn’t too good, to be prepared to face tougher measures.”

Suppose we glimpse the near future. Will Berlin support the idea of EU expansion as a tool of its “soft” influence and role on the world arena?

“As you know, the European Union was conceived as a project aimed at expanding an area of stability, well-being, and peace. Until now the EU has coped with this almost faultlessly. The problem of late has been that the structures originally meant for six countries now have to deal with more than twenty-five. Naturally, it will be some time before the new EU members become a component of this organization, so as not to cause so-called experts to predict the EU’s decline or collapse. There are very noticeable historical processes underway, but one shouldn’t expect them to yield the expected results within two or three years. I’m sure that the EU will continue to expand, but there is a difference between countries like Croatia — a small country but with standards that are already close to those of the European Union — and large countries inhabited by a great many people. There are already quite a few countries that aren’t EU members de jure but whose standards de facto match those of the Union, so they are EU members de facto. These countries have countless bilateral agreements with the Union.”

A number of Ukrainians are under the impression that France and Germany are competing for the modernization of Russia. The French president visited Russia at the head of a large delegation in May. The German chancellor followed suit in July. Don’t you think that your country is paying too little attention to Ukraine, although a lot of experts believe that this country should be upgraded in the first place, so as to make it an example of successful democracy, a truly free country, an example worth being emulated by Russians?

“I have stated at the beginning that Germany sees itself as Ukraine’s partner with regard to economic development and reforms. Modernizing Ukraine is on the agenda, as with regard to other countries. Politically speaking, there emerged a lot of expectations after 2004. At present, it is expected that the political achievements will be preserved, and that they will be complemented with economic reforms. For the time being (not counting the investment indices in the first half of the year), business people in the West aren’t too sure. It is important to win their confidence. As it is, your controlling authorities keep meddling with private business and this doesn’t help the situation.

“You must have more legal guarantees for business, so that foreign businesses are treated on equal terms with the Ukrainian ones. Also, you have to curb the influence of your bureaucracy. I’m sure that President Yanukovych, when meeting with German business circles in Berlin, will make his contribution and will draw the German economy’s attention to Ukraine and its current development. And the German economy does show an interest in Ukraine.”

Talking of Russia’s modernization, one can’t help noticing that the Russian side sees it primarily as a way to receive advanced Western technologies. How about applying the EU’s “soft strength” and placing more emphasis on the modernization of Russian society, on the introduction of the European standards of democracy, freedom of expression and assembly?

“I’m not in a position to comment on [Germany’s] policy with regard to Russia. The Russian government is aware of the need of this modernization, and that this concerns not only the economy. The European Union has stated its readiness to cooperate and serve as a partner in this sphere.”

You must be aware that certain NATO and EU countries are warning against selling modern weaponry to Russia. France, for example, has all but agreed to a shipment of helicopter carriers. There is information about Italy selling armored personnel carriers. At the start of the year we heard about Russia considering the possibility of buying the license for the Project 212 German submarine. Is Germany prepared to follow the French example and arm Russia, considering that a number of experts believe that Russia’s behavior is unpredictable?

“I have no such information. Germany is very careful about arms exports. I believe that no other country has as strict arms export control regulations and requirements as Germany does. I’m sure that these regulations would apply in full measure, should there be such a purchase offer.”

Suppose we end this interview on an optimistic note. Would you tell the readers about contacts between German and Ukrainian citizens? Is there an increase in the youth exchange programs?

“I’m happy to say that The Days of Germany in the Crimea were a great success. One of the most modern research ships visited Sevastopol as part of this project. This visit resulted in new projects involving collaboration with the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, particularly in the sphere of marine biology. After last year’s Days of German Science an increasing number of young Ukrainian and German scientists have established contacts. I believe it is very important for Ukraine to pay more attention to this sphere. I’m glad to say that a total of nine thousand Ukrainians are enrolled in German universities, including over a thousand scholarship students. Ukraine must become more open and increase its mobility. Regrettably, there are trends to the contrary. This makes me worry about Ukraine’s ability to contribute to the science of the future. I would also strongly recommend more extensive studies of foreign languages: German, English, and French, for this is the alpha and omega of Ukraine becoming part of Europe, something a great many young Ukrainians want so much.”

Germany sees no threat of Ukrainian manpower influx?

“Ukraine is a country that has a great potential that will keep evolving. This is very important for Europe. This potential is found in your agriculture and natural resources. Above all, however, it is in all those young well-educated Ukrainians.”