One must know how to capitalize on a victory, Ambassador Philippe de SUREMAIN emphasizes

“To what extent is the new French leadership interested in supporting Kyiv’s European claims, which so far remain unanswered from Brussels?”

“Nobody denies today that Ukraine is a European country. Long ago, General de Gaulle spoke about a Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals. We think Ukraine is located in the heart of Europe. France and its European partners sincerely hope that Ukraine will take its rightful place in Europe and become a factor of stability and development on the continent. That Ukraine has opted for European integration is an encouraging fact for one and all. This is obviously a difficult process, and we must say that Ukraine has made a daring choice. The point is not to teach Ukraine lessons. We – the French, British, Germans – haven’t gone through what Ukraine is undergoing now. We are aware of the complexity of the changes Ukraine has launched. These transformations meet the interests of both Ukraine and the EU. Yet, this process should not be rushed. We hope this can result in Ukraine being able to achieve what is known as acquis communautaire and bring itself into line with EU standards as soon as possible.

“Ukraine is known to want EU associate membership. This requires a lot of effort, and declarations of intent will never suffice. For example, a surfacing diver must first go through the decompression chamber. There is no rejection on the part of the European partners. All they are saying is that proper methods should be applied.

“Ukraine occupies a special place in Europe: it should not be confused with Russia, which is a special case in itself. And when the question is about the expanded EU’s neighbors, we never mix up the special case of Ukraine with, say, Moldova or Belarus. Ukraine is being treated as a special case at least because it is very big. This is why the nature of EU- Ukraine relations should be a special subject to consider. We should do this together with the EU candidate members. This is the essence of President Chirac’s letter to President Kuchma.

“Simultaneously, it is in our interest, in the EU interest, that Ukraine be among us in the long run. This also meets the interests of the Ukrainian people. But this requires above all that reforms really be carried out.

“It is quite natural that the Ukrainians attach great importance to receiving the status of a market economy country, for this is one of the requirements for entering the World Trade Organization. Although the Ukrainians are surprised that Russia is being granted this status earlier, this is not an instance of political preference. There is a long series of technical and practical factors that explain this relative tardiness. Russia began the required procedures earlier. Ukraine can also expect a decision like this, but this will depend, to a large extent, on the pace of reforms. I do not think there is any reason for exaggerated anxiety.”

“Is a meeting between Presidents Chirac and Kuchma being planned?”

“France is now undergoing reorganization. Please give us some time. All I can say is that the new foreign minister received Minister Zlenko almost immediately after his appointment. We expect Mr. Zlenko to arrive in Paris at the end of the year for a more detailed discussion.

“I can assure you Paris plans no reverses in its foreign policy. This policy will be characterized by an enhanced interest in Central and Eastern European countries. We consider Ukraine a country of great opportunities and potential for cooperation.”

“To what extent is your country, which enjoys a special status in NATO, inclined to support Ukraine in the process of Euro-Atlantic integration?”

“Occupying a special position in NATO, France at the same time is fully accomplishing its mission. First of all, France is actively participating in transforming NATO. The NATO of today is not the NATO of de Gaulle’s era. We strive to avoid divisions that could cross our continent; on the contrary, we are interested in stabilization and standardization. It is all the more imperative to transform NATO after the September 11 events. We welcome Ukraine’s will and aspiration to join NATO and will do our best to help it adapt to NATO standards. This requires deep changes, especially in the military field.

“Even today, we see intensified cooperation between Ukraine and NATO. This occurs at a time when it more and more orients itself toward peacekeeping operations. Ukraine has made an impressive contribution to this. But here, like in the EU case, one must make considerable effort, which also requires resoluteness.

“I must say we regard Ukraine as a huge laboratory, and we very closely observe this construction site where a modern democratic system is being built and highly promising economic transformations are being carried out. But, whatever the case, it is the question of a choice to be made by Ukrainians themselves. It is not up to us to impose methods.”

“Could you be more specific: is France going to support Ukraine’s full integration into the existing European alliances or are there certain limits?”

“As far as the expansion of the European Union is concerned, there can only be geographical limits. Yet, this process should be effective. Although no doors are closed, one cannot do what others must do by themselves. It is up to Ukraine itself to decide how it can integrate into the acquis communautaire and reach the level typical of Europe as a whole. This process should be carried out pragmatically and realistically.”

“What is your country’s attitude toward the joint decision of Presidents Kuchma and Putin and Chancellor Schroeder on establishing an international natural gas transport consortium?”

“France, as well as the whole EU, attaches great attention to the problem of safe transport of gas, a considerable part of which is being supplied from Russia across Ukraine. Clearly, all decisions about this transit arouse keen interest in France. Unfortunately, this is all I can say on this question.”

“What potential for cooperation between Ukraine and your country still remains untapped?”

“A large country like this also has vast prospects. One example of such potential is agriculture. With Ukraine having very considerable capabilities, this sector develops very dynamically, and I think we should do very much together. I was greatly impressed by the President Farm in Mykolayiv oblast. This is a good example of cooperation.”

“Why is almost nothing said about the possibility of high- tech cooperation?”

“We come across high technologies even in the farming sector. Agriculture is not an exclusive example. It is common knowledge that Ukraine has a high level of education and a high quality of research elite training. These links are developing very well today. The future belongs to research cooperation.”

“What struck you most after you were appointed to Ukraine?”

“Everything in Ukraine strikes me. I haven’t been here for twenty years. Now it is an entirely different country. I only wish as many of my compatriots as possible could come here.”

“What stands in their way?”

“Nothing in principle. But you need to make better propaganda for your country. It would be good to improve the quality of hotel services – this will greatly boost the number of tourists. The ties now developing in the field of culture will only contribute to this. The situation here positively differs from what the French know about Ukraine. And we must work on both sides to improve the level of information.”