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Ukraine is a European Country, But Not Ready To Join Europe

18 May, 00:00

The Central European summit in Lviv passed under the motto, "European Integration: The Human Dimension." This dimension was seen in the presidents of nine states signing a joint declaration condemning violence and terror in Kosovo, while expressing sympathy over civilian deaths and sufferings in Yugoslavia. President Kuchma insisted that NATO bombardments be resolutely rejected, but this was left out of the text. One good sign was (and Mr. Kuchma said so himself) that the declaration was signed by the representatives of NATO countries. It was decided to circulate the document as an official UN instrument and call a top-level international conference (probably in Vienna) to establish peace in Southeast Europe by adopting a stability pact.

Another aspect of that human dimension affects Ukraine in the first place: letting people cross the borders of countries soon to join the EU. It was resolved to set up a task force which will have its first meeting in Poland. President Aleksander Kwasniewski stated, however, that such free passage must not lay open these frontiers to international crime and drug trafficking - in a word, he repeated what most politicians say when meeting Ukrainian leaders. Incidentally, shortly before the summit Mr. Kwasniewski made another interesting statement: "Ukraine must have tickets for both trains, one headed West and the other headed East."

There was much official verbiage during the summit for media consumption about Ukraine being an inalienable component of Europe with Lviv as a jewel in its crown. However, one could detect the actual attitude of certain politicians (in this case German and Austrian leaders) toward Ukraine and its government, which could be summed up as "Well, boys, it's a bit too early to join Europe " - perhaps in response to Leonid Kuchma venturing that Ukraine's EU associated membership would solve many problems.

The Ukrainian, Polish, Austrian, German, Czech, Hungarian, Slovenian, Romanian, and Bulgarian Presidents planted an apple orchard and admired Lviv's cityscape; each must have found something especially close and dear to him in the captivating view; toasted each other with Summit vodka and washed it down with Obolon beer. And left. Next time they are expected to meet in Hungary and the Italian and Slovak Presidents will also attend.

Polish President Kwasniewski, obviously determined to act contrary to protocol, without making a scandal demanded replacement of a gravestone at the Lychakivske Cemetery. Its legend sounded offensive in Polish (the text had not been agreed on with the Poles). Without a word of objection the Ukrainian side obliged. The high Polish guest did not bother to explain exactly how strategic partnership and human dimension agree with the mass deportation of Ukrainians from Sandomierz in April. Instead, he assured one and all that he would do his best to support Ukraine's integration into European structures, because Ukrainians are "a great nation" located in the heart of Europe.

President Kuchma declared that the Lviv summit should by no means be regarded as part of his election campaign, adding that he expected every president to be on his side in his heart, because, he claimed, if a different president is elected in Ukraine its political course will also change. One wonders what his colleagues really thought about that.

Newspaper output №:

№18, (1999)

Section

Day After Day