Zlenko claims Ukraine is ready for EU associate membership
The current nature of relations between Ukraine and the European Union calls for a transition from partnership to associate membership, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine press service quotes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anatoly Zlenko, as saying at the Ukraine-EU Troika session in Madrid, the troika now consisting of Spain, Denmark, and the EU proper. It is not today or yesterday that the issue of associate status (to be more exact, a treaty on association with the European Union) came up in talks between Ukrainian and EU diplomats. Yet, for well-known reasons, this was not discussed last year before the visit of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to Kyiv. But now, in contrast to previously, Kyiv has enlisted moral support for this idea from no other than Schroeder. The same support was expressed by now former Foreign Minister of Italy Renato Ruggiero during his blitz visit to Kyiv. This indicates some obvious changes of attitude.
There have been so far no official confirmation of the idea of association from the EU. But a participant in the Madrid talks, Secretary General of the European Union Council, Javier Solana, already told The Day last year that Ukraine is undoubtedly a European state and thus has the right to take part in integration processes.
The passage of the current candidate countries to the EU began precisely with the signing of association agreements (none of those countries signed a document similar to the one on partnership and cooperation by which the EU leadership is guided in its dealings with Ukraine and which sets out no prospects for Ukraine). On the other hand, Turkey, already an officially-recognized EU candidate country, is still in fact being kept at bay.
Simultaneously, the fact that Romania and Bulgaria (diplomats usually prefer to hint at, not to name directly, these countries) have become EU associate members without having any great economic or political advantages over Ukraine aroused jealousy in Kyiv and a firm refusal to comment in Brussels.
Oleksandr Chaly, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for European Integration, had told The Day earlier that in reality there are no clear-cut criteria for EU associate membership. So this should be the subject of talks with the EU. Nobody actually denies that association is, above all, a political issue. Accordingly, the motivation for one country or another to approach the EU is also, first of all, political, no matter what is being said officially. The refusal to regard Ukraine as a potential European Union member has been caused by many factors, including the absence of a true interest of large European companies in real business, a still-fledgling democracy, and a rather obscure relationship with Russia. Up to now, unless it was a question of some special relations with Ukraine, none other than Russia was regarded as the EU’s chief partner in the post-Soviet part of Europe. As to Ukraine, it has always lacked proof that it yearns for European integration not only in word.
The EU’s gradual turn toward Ukraine does not yet mean that things will go smoothly even if Ukraine makes a phenomenal breakthrough in economic development, holds elections in a way that will cast no doubt on the leadership’s declarations (incidentally, Mr. Zlenko invited EU observers), investigates fairly and finally the Gongadze and Aleksandrov cases (which the Madrid negotiators also required of Ukraine), and, in general, ensures the sustained development of civil society. Problems will inevitably emerge for the simple reason that Ukraine is a rival for some, not a part of Europe for others, and a part of Russia for still others. And it is unlikely that a breakthrough will occur in the six months of Spanish chairmanship of the EU (even the reserved Scandinavians could not hide doubts about this). Yet, a breakthrough must be prepared, the more so that the current circumstances are favorable: the post-September 11 atmosphere can only help Ukraine. Perhaps defense and security cooperation, particularly, Ukrainian participation in the rapid deployment force, will be the first step, which was also on the Madrid agenda.
