Your rating of worldwide events in 2007. Which of them do you think were the most important for Ukrainian society? What events in Ukraine drew the greatest attention abroad, including your country or the place you stayed in? What materials, topics, authors, and special projects (photo competitions, books) of The Day made the strongest impression on you? What would you like to wish the Ukrainians in this year?
Marek SIWIEC, Vice-president, European Parliament:
1. We do not need to look too far into the world. The year 2007 brought two events that were of crucial importance to Ukraine. Both, however, took place in close neighbourhood, in the European Union. The first event was the elections in Poland and the emergence of a new government. Although I am not a great fan of the new ruling coalition, as I myself am currently in the opposition, certainly I can see a great change in the way Poland is being perceived in Brussels nowadays. Of course, this is just the beginning, but one can already see that my country has a great chance to stop being the pariah of Europe, a member that was a troublemaker, de facto isolated by its partners. It goes without saying that in the last two years we have been far behind those who count in Europe, being at first the leader of the 10 new member states. Since Poland has been continuously advocating Ukraine’s interests in the EU, one can easily imagine how effective we were under the previous Polish leadership. Thus, the change took place in Warsaw, but its consequences may very well be felt in Kyiv as well.
As for the EU, the primary development that has a fundamental meaning for Ukraine is the consensus on the so-called Reform (Lisbon) Treaty. Without the necessary reforms, one could forget about any further enlargement of the Union, including Ukraine’s European aspirations. Thankfully, the necessary decision has been taken, although the treaty must still be ratified, but when that happens, then the sky is the limit!
2. It should not be surprising to anyone if I say that the long-lasting political crisis that we witnessed last year in Ukraine had a very bad influence on the European public and the Brussels establishment. It did not bring any more interest to Ukraine or support for her membership in the EU. People were bewildered, sometimes disappointed, but at the same time they very much hoped for a democratic finale. One finally came with the recent elections. Thus, the year ended as everyone had wished: the elections were free and fair, and their results were accepted by everyone. In the New Year Brussels is optimistic about developments in Ukraine, although I would add that it is optimism with a large dose of caution.
3. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time to read Den everyday, but I regularly look at its English Internet version (The Day). Although I would not name a specific column or author that attracted my special attention last year, I must admit that the sole fact that Den has an English version is worth underlining. In this simple way, Den is a great source of information about Ukraine for the entire world. At the same time, it is a fantastic form of promoting your country outside its borders. I can only congratulate those behind this brilliant idea.
4. Obviously, I would like to wish the Ukrainian people prosperity, but also long-term peace and political stabilization. I wish everyone acceleration in introducing real and effective reforms. I wish the new authorities success in reforming their country and bringing it ever closer to the European Union.
