The Ukrainian-European Union summit in Paris was, as foreseen, full of various kind words, optimistic declarations, and well-wishing. However, it is still questionable if Ukraine came even one inch closer to the EU. For the time being, it was only cooperation that was discussed at the summits, e.g., in closing Chornobyl or in trade where, in particular, the first real step was made by signing a contract on non- quota textiles. We can also consider a success the words of the French President Jacques Chirac during his meeting with Leonid Kuchma on the eve of the summit that helping Ukraine in the process of the European integration is a duty and a necessity. Evidently, Chirac said this on behalf of France which will preside on the EU up to the end of this year.
Ukraine’s representative to the EU, Roman Shpek, told Interfax, “Our slogan is from cooperation to integration. Ukraine sees itself in the EU.” There is a different question, however: do the “Europeans” see Ukraine in the EU? The central issue of the summits on the EU still is the execution of the treaty on partnership and cooperation, which together with Ukraine’s joining the World Trade Organization is supposed to create a free trade zone between Ukraine and the EU. According to Shpek, the sides had already come to an agreement on the arrangement of such a zone.
The EU still has not officially expressed its opinion on how it sees the future of its relationship with Ukraine: as a partner (as it does the North African states), a potential member (like Bulgaria and Romania), or a special country that is a part of Europe but not an EU member (Switzerland and Norway, for example). The old Ukrainian arguments that Bulgaria and Romania do not have any big differences with Ukraine in terms of economical, political, social, or legislative reforms were immediately rejected by the EU. At present none of the sides denies the influence of political factors of the selection of EU membership candidates. According to one Western diplomat, the Russian factor, in spite of everything, can be used as a reason for putting the brakes on Ukrainian desires for integration. And if Ukraine really is striving for integration, it must gradually prove it with concrete deeds (reforms, raising living standards, bringing its legislative system into accordance with generally accepted standards). Some West European experts and politicians, EU directorate officials told The Day that Ukraine has as much chance to enter the EU as Turkey. But everything depends on how the beginning of the expansion will go. Ukrainian diplomats confess that they still do not feel that Ukraine is considered as “one of ours” in the long wished for Europe, but if the political need arises even today’s Ukraine could receive a certain unambiguous offer.
Ukraine has already sent the first signals of its readiness to start a more serious dialogue than at present: by President Kuchma’s decree a special organ was created to bring Ukrainian legislation into line with European standards; the state program on European integration was accepted on the summit’s eve. The EU had yet sent no equally clear signals. That does not mean that everything should be frozen on the issues of EU aid in building nuclear blocks, more or less free trade, and credit lines. Certainly, all these things are also necessary. However, both sides have to understand that a new division of Europe cannot do either any good, and that is why one side should overcome its backwardness, Soviet mentality, and poverty, while the other one has to cure itself of its haughtiness and tendency to lose contact with reality. And fewer slogans.
