Germany is one of the key players in the European Union and NATO. For all its potential, Ukraine has thus far failed to influence European political processes. Still, Kyiv understands Ukraine’s potential, and Kyiv understands Germany’s role in Europe and also seeks to encourage the two nations’ dialogue. The German view of Ukraine’s current and future place in creating a common European policy is set out in an interview with adviser on foreign and security policy issues and Director of the Second Office of the Federal Chancellor Michael STEINER.
Q: After the NATO countries refused to participated in the An-7X cargo plane project Ukraine felt somewhat disappointed, because the project could have paved the way for Ukraine’s real integration into Europe. Apparently, other projects implying such close cooperation in different fields are out of the question now. Why?
A: I can well understand your disappointment. The An-7X is an excellent plane and additional evidence of Ukraine’s high technical capabilities. However, it is also true that the Federal Republic of Germany cannot unilaterally decide on enhanced cooperation in the sphere of arms; it can only do so jointly with its partners. The decision made by the seven European partners this July was not an easy one. There were economic factors at play as well as industrial policy. Financial aspects also had to be considered. The military Airbus military transport plane is in the long run the most advantageous option.
However, even now cooperation with Ukraine is relevant. It is more important now than before to find industrial partners interested in cooperation. In the narrower sense, in military-industrial cooperation, an important role is also played by Ukraine’s working with NATO in the sphere of security policy.
Q: Today, forming the European Corps as a model of a joint European security policy seems the most urgent issue. What could be Ukraine’s place in this system — or do you think that European security is the exclusive prerogative of the EU states?
A: After the Cold War all European states were faced with the task of developing a sophisticated architecture of European security. The European Union is making its contribution in the common policy of security and defense, including rapid deployment forces to handle crises, carry out humanitarian, rescue, and peacekeeping missions.
For its part, Ukraine has shouldered considerable responsibility for maintaining peace and security in Europe. This is seen in its participation in the efforts at Balkan stabilization, as part of the peacekeeping force in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. For this reason, it is easy to imagine Ukrainian units within future European forces to react to crises.
In addition, Ukraine’s partnership with NATO, based on the 1997 Ukraine-NATO Charter, is of special importance. As a founding member of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and an active participant in Partnership for Peace, Ukraine has noticeably expanded its practical cooperation with the alliance over the past several years. This also means an opportunity to take part in peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the UN Security Council, with OSCE assuming the responsibility. In addition, regular consultations are held between NATO and Ukraine, concerning such pressing issues as general and regional security, prevention of conflicts, and military training. The federal government will make every effort to further expand cooperation with Ukraine in security policy. This will help Ukraine play an important role in establishing a stable peaceful system throughout Europe.
Q: A newspaper article quotes former Chancellor Schmidt as saying that Ukraine, without doubt, does not belong with the European countries. What is your attitude toward this problem, and how do you see Ukraine’s prospects in Europe? Where do you think Europe’s borders are? What will the European Union look like in fifteen or twenty years?
A: Ukraine is located in Europe. Without doubt, it is a European country. You ask whether Ukraine has any prospects as an EU member. I think that active use and implementation of the existing documents comes first. For example, the EU partnership and cooperation agreement with Ukraine, the Common Strategy adopted by the Council of Europe in Helsinki (1999), and EU- Ukrainian strategic partnership offer quite a range of opportunities in terms of cooperation and rapprochement that must be utilized and enhanced. And cooperation in upholding the security policy implies multifaceted cooperation across borders.
What Europe and the European Union will look like ten or fifteen years from now is difficult to say. Our objective is a united and peaceful Europe, offering a better chance and higher living standard for all its citizens. EU summit adopted a Charter of Fundamental Rights in Nice, constituting another landmark that will not pass without consequence for our European neighbors.
Q: The Russia-Europe gas bypass project was received in Kyiv as primarily a political act. What could be done about this problem to prevent it from acquiring a political dimension? Does Germany have any claims on Ukraine in conjunction with the pilferage of natural gas so often referred to by Russia?
A:I can understand Ukraine’s concern over alternative natural gas pipelines to Western Europe. But the fact remains that maintaining the existing and building new gas pipelines is the prerogative of certain companies in Russia, third countries, and consumer countries, including Germany, France, and Italy. The federal government has no way to influence these relationships. For Germany, secure supplies are the main thing, and they can be secured in various ways. And the federal government has no financial claims on Ukraine in conjunction with Russian gas supplies.
Q: It has been declared again that the Zherdytsky affair will have no consequences for Ukrainian-German relations. What do you think of this affair and how could it affect Ukraine’s prestige in Germany? Is it true that Ukraine can expect Zherdytsky’s extradition before long, as stated by the Ukrainian side?
A: Ukrainian People’s Deputy Zherdytsky, arrested in Germany and currently in pretrial custody, is subject to regular legal procedures. The German prosecutor’s office is investigating the case. I do not see anything that could have a negative effect on German- Ukrainian relations. Now that legal proceedings are in progress, you must understand that I can offer you no further explanations. However, I can say that the case will not damage Ukraine’s image in Germany. The Ukrainian government will repay the stolen money to the Understanding and Reconciliation Foundation, so that the victims of Nazi persecution due such compensations can receive it.
As to the possibility of extradition, there is nothing I can say except that the statement of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General requesting his extradition is with the Federal Ministry of Justice, so competent authorities will soon make their decision.
