On October 14, the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (Group S&D) in the European Parliament and the Ukrainian Party of Regions signed a memorandum on cooperation. This concise document is a bilateral declaration of intent to engage in meaningful dialog, launch common projects, provide traineeships and hold academic seminars. In short, it is meant to serve a goal, which is of key importance to both parties: to strengthen Ukraine’s international position and support its European aspirations.
As it happens, the move provoked mixed reactions. “Isn’t it odd for you, socialists, to cooperate with the party of Ukrainian oligarchs?”, we were asked. My answer was simple: we will cooperate with those who seek such cooperation. Since the Party of Regions has expressed the will to address issues of common interest, which are in line with our priorities, we are going to cooperate with them. Those who need further convincing should be reminded that the “oligarchs’ party” was brought to power by several million Ukrainian voters. If all of them were oligarchs, Ukraine would break the Guinness record for the world’s highest billionaire per capita ratio.
Dedicated to upholding the young Ukrainian democracy, the memorandum paves the way “for a frank and open discussion about the political situation in Ukraine.” In particular, the Group S&D has pledged to support our Ukrainian partners in their efforts to strengthen their democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law, and protect media freedoms. Many of those familiar with Ukrainian day-to-day reality will shrug their shoulders in disbelief. Yet it is possible, because we have created a forum that will allow us to ask important questions and react to what careful observers of the Ukrainian political scene may consider to be misguided or improper policies.
Does this mean that the Party of Regions is going left? Not quite — this was not the point. Not so long ago, the huge Fatherland Party [Yulia Tymoshenko’s Batkivshchyna. – Ed], which is particularly fond of populist rhetoric, was incorporated into the Christian-Democrat European People’s Party. Many people found this strange. I prefer not to comment on the actions taken by my political adversaries.
The Socialists and Democrats have other priorities. We would like our economic and social philosophies and our values to be embraced by Ukraine’s leading party, which helps shape the country’s political landscape. In two years’ time, the memorandum will come under review. We will then evaluate its achievements and take a critical look at its failures. Two years from now both parties will see quite clearly who has honoured their commitments and who has failed to live up to them. Now is the time to give each other the benefit of the doubt.
For the next few months we are going to set our sights on another goal: to create a mechanism of joint monitoring of bilateral agreements, particularly the negotiations on the Association Agreement and, consequently, on the visa-free travel regime, free trade and a range of other pressing issues. Ukraine and the European Union have never been closer to achieving their common objectives. All we need to do now is to keep the momentum.
