Paris is thought to have a colder attitude toward Kyiv than Bonn does and Washington. Nonetheless, extraordinary and authorized ambassador of France for Ukraine Pascal Fieschi is certain that though France does not know much about Ukraine, these two countries are true friends. However, the visit of the French Foreign Minister to Kyiv had to be postponed.
Q: The activity of French business in Ukraine is pretty low. Why do you think this is so? Is it because of the lack of information, bad conditions, or something else?
A: I do not know exactly. French companies do not have much money and they are very careful with foreign investments.
Of course, the Ukrainian investment climate for foreign investors does not inspire our businessmen. In France 25 years ago we also had that same attitude toward foreign investment. We considered it a detriment to the nation’s identity. Nevertheless, France’s development has been based upon foreign capital. France has the first place first place in the world for attracting foreign investment.
To the point, two large French companies, Alcatel and Lafarge, have made their stake on Ukraine’s future; they intend to make significant long-term investments. The development of these projects be an example for other French companies. The Ukrainian agricultural complex has also attracted much attention.
Q: What about military sphere? We had a joint project for modernization of the LeClerc tank.
A: Discussions on this matter are still in progress, but cooperation has already begun. The modernized T-72 tank was presented at the Paris military show.
Q: Are there any chances for cooperation on manufacturing the An-70 aircraft?
A: In two or three years France will most definitely need this type of aircraft. And this is a great plane, everybody agrees on that. However, there are two problems. They say An-70 will fly over 25 years, but what will be the cost of maintenance, parts, and so on? The Ukrainian side does not answer these questions; they are probably worried to give away some kind of military secret. Then, we have to be sure the engine will not have in-flight failures. Soviet planes were considered light, consuming less fuel, but they served for a shorter period.
Q: You said Ukraine and France had very good relations...
A: This is true. I said the political relations are very good, we do not have any problems. But people in our countries hardly notice it. They say in France now that this year will be dedicated to Ukraine: next month the French Foreign Minister will come to Kyiv and the President will visit Ukraine in September.
The cultural relations are also being developed and improved. The French Embassy organized a week of French movies, movies with Alain Delon. A French theater is touring Ukraine to the end of the month.
Q: What are your impressions from working in Kyiv?
A: I used to work in Poland, the Czech Republic, was connected with the Soviet Union, but I had never been to Ukraine until I was appointed ambassador. I love the pleasant, hard working people, who love flowers and music.
Q: There is a legend, according to which all French kings swore at their coronation on the Bible, which was written in the language, which no one could even read
A: This Bible was in Old Church Slavonic and was brought to France by Anna Yaroslavna. All the French kings swore in on this very Bible.
Q: Why do you think the world knows about the role Russian immigrants play in France and no one knows anything about Ukrainians?
A: Russian immigrants were very popular in 1920s. There were not many of them, only about 70,000, and they easily integrated into French society. The major part of Ukrainians considered themselves Russian and all of them supported the monarchy. France has a small Ukrainian Diaspora and small Ukrainian movements.
Q: What is the French attitude toward immigrants? Does the government take any measures to limit it?
Immigrants constitute 10% of the France’s population. There are some limiting measures of course. But they live in France and work for it.
Q: Do all French people like being the “engine” of integration in Europe? What do they think about introduction of the EURO?
A: The French people has always supported the development and integration of the European Union. Europe has changed and developed. 25 or more countries might enter it. The French people do not have anything against the introduction of the EURO.
Q: What are your impressions from Kyiv?
A: Kyiv is very beautiful, even for a Parisian. Like Paris, its face belongs to the end of the last century and these two cities are going in the same direction. Kyiv has a rich cultural life and wonderful atmosphere.
Photo:
Pascal Fieschi







