The Ukrainian government's decision to limit on used cars imports has caused much stir in the European Union. EU representatives think this decision discriminatory and passed because of pressure from the South Korean concern Daewoo. Well, perhaps there could be other factors besides protecting the domestic market. In this way Ukrainian exports to the Western Europe may be soon cut. But this seems to have happened already with the anti-dumping cases against Ukrainian metal, machinery, and textile suppliers.
On the other hand, the partnership agreement between Ukraine and EU, which came into effect March 1, 1998, has only declarative meaning and does not stipulate any trade privileges. Kyiv and Brussels intend to begin negotiations on a free trade regime only this spring. Naturally, this promises numerous difficulties for Ukraine at negotiations with the European Union and World Trade Organization. Kyiv has put many limits that in the whole world are considered passe. Obviously Ukrainian will not make it in to the WTO until the next presidential elections. Hence, the point is that a trade war between Ukraine and Europe is only possible after Ukraine joins EU, and this will not happen anytime soon.
That is why the question "Does Ukraine have the right to do it?" can be answered positively. Yes, it does. Ukraine has the right precisely because it is not yet a European country.
The mentality, formed during centuries of cooperation with people different from Europeans, prevents Ukraine from understanding that Europe does not consider capital punishment the solution anymore. But I wonder what prevents Europeans from writing Kyiv, Ukraine instead of Kiev, Russia on their mail?







