The impatient and the industrious

Ukraine held the largest Europe Day festivities in nine years. Throughout the country, 330 various festive activities took place in almost all regional centers. The European parade, which marched last Saturday from Khreshchatyk to the Independence Square, passing traditional tents of European countries and organizations, crowned the celebration. A day earlier the international conference “Ukraine on the way to EU Integration: Current State and Further Prospects” was held in the institute of international relations of the Shevchenko University.

At the conference Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryshchenko stressed that 2011 is a year of strategic opportunities for Ukraine, which presupposes the completion of negotiations regarding the Association Agreement, including establishing a free trade area with the EU and fulfillment of the Action Plan on the visa regime liberalization for Ukraine. The minister also pointed out that Ukraine clearly sees its place in the European system.

Recently, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the resolution “On Recommendations from Parliamentary Hearings on the State and Prospects of the Development of Economic Relations between Ukraine and the EU (Free Trade Area) and the Customs Union.” These recommendations emphasize that European integration is one of the major foreign policy priorities of Ukraine. Thus, the highest legislative body of Ukraine put all discussions on what integration path Ukraine should choose to an end. Moreover, according to a survey by the sociological group Rating, 51 percent of Ukrainians support EU integration.

Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych announced Ukraine’s priorities and stressed that the Ukrainian state “is doing everything possible to approach the European Union” in his video message at the opening of Europe Day. However, it is somehow odd that, on the one hand, the president speaks about European values, and, on the other hand, signs a law that allows the hanging of the Soviet flag together with the state flag on May 9. Indeed, this is something that provokes discussions not only in Ukraine but also in most former Soviet countries.

Hryshchenko, who participated in the opening ceremony, said: “We have a community of ideals and objectives. We have a wish to enter this space of stability, cooperation and safety. Today we see that Europe is beating in Ukraine’s heart.”

The Day asked several European ambassadors to comment on Ukraine’s path towards the EU. The Hungarian ambassador to Ukraine Mihaly Bayer believes that regarding Ukraine’s integration one can observe impatience from all sides: “both on the part of the country and on the part of its citizens.” “It’s good because the impatient want to achieve something. On the other hand, I think one should show wisdom in this issue: study the experience of those former socialist countries which are now members of the European Union. We worked for a long time to enter the EU. Before that we had to change all spheres of life, which are still being changed. One should consider that EU integration is not a quick moment but a serious process,” Bayer said. Finland’s ambassador to Ukraine Krister Mikkelson agrees. “For my country and myself Europe means progress. We wouldn’t reach what we have now without European integration.

“This is the future. Certainly, the steps the Ukrainian government takes now are not enough for European integration. Currently, the negotiations on the Association Agreement, including the free trade area with the EU, have been continuing, towards the possibility that Ukraine may fully join the EU. Ukraine needs to change. If it wants to become a full-fledged member of the European Union, it should work on it and adapt to the European laws.” The Romanian ambassador Cornel Ionescu believes that the Ukrainian government “made serious steps in the direction of European integration.”

Kyiv residents, especially elderly ones, whom The Day’s reporter asked about their thoughts on Europe Day and what Europe means for them in general, did not always agree to answer. At the same time, others willingly answered all questions. For the sophomore of Shevchenko University Olena Potsipukh Europe Day is “a moment when you really feel that you’re a representative of not only a post-Soviet but also a European country.” According to her, “Ukraine is a constituent of Europe. And Europe for many spells big opportunities, in particular, to obtain an education, and earn decent wages.”

Mykola (who didn’t divulge his last name), who works as an electrician, pointed out that since “we are Europeans, Europe is our homeland! What shall one do for the native home to be good, normal? One should enter Europe, the European Union, not Asia, where some eastern neighbors call us. We should strive for Europe — there is a good life there, good salaries. No one will reject this. I’m sick and tired of getting a small salary. I think that when we enter the European Union, our government will at least be urged to pay good salaries and maintain normal living standards.”

“Europe Day is a very good day, but I, for example, want Ukraine to enter NATO now. So that our Ukraine could thrive and our children could go somewhere. I have two sons, one is 32 and the other is 29, but they can’t go anywhere because we are not in the European Union, and they really want to go! I don’t work anymore and would like to go somewhere as well, but the crisis has blocked me. I don’t know on whom it depends, but it would be good if our government took our children into consideration,” pensioner Liubov Butanova said.

Europe Day 2011 turned out to be very exciting. People could enjoy European culture, take part in various contests on the knowledge of history, languages and traditions. Those interested could taste traditional European dishes, listen to foreign music, see passionate flamenco, read Polish poems, and take part in quizzes. Together with the “European town,” a “soccer town” dedicated to the Euro-2012 was set up. There people could test their soccer knowledge and show off their skills.