Zlenko delineates direction of Ukraine's foreign policy (02/04/01)

Zlenko delineates direction of Ukraine's foreign policy

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - In his first major policy address since becoming Ukraine's minister of foreign affairs nearly four months ago, Anatolii Zlenko signaled on January 23 that Ukraine would move away from pursuing a foreign policy that has accented its geopolitical importance to one that stresses its Western standards.

He told a large group of journalists that the period of breakthroughs in the development of international ties was ending and now the accent would move to developing Ukraine's European characteristics.

"An open society, the effective functioning of a market economy, the supremacy of law, the consistency and predictability of foreign policy are key criteria that will have an influence on the country's role in a new European and international orchestra," explained Mr. Zlenko.

He said that in this new foreign policy "there would be less words, but they would be properly written."

He said the accent on the internal development of policy and on the promulgation of Western standards would be the two central pillars behind a five-point plan of action that he enumerated for his diplomatic corps in the next year, which also includes the systematization of Ukraine's strategy vis-à-vis Europe, strict pragmatism in defending Ukraine's national self-interests and a foreign policy transparent to Ukrainian society.

While not rejecting "multi-vectorism," a term government officials have used for several years to define the country's foreign policy, Mr. Zlenko attempted to specify its meaning in his foreign policy vision. He explained that Ukraine's policy is one, but with several points of reference. He stated that Ukraine would continue to move along that line with the accents on Brussels, Moscow and Washington, but emphasized that he would not limit the number of Ukraine's strategic partners.

"There should be as many as are needed," said Mr. Zlenko. He repeated a phrase often uttered by Ukraine's foreign policy makers that the key to a good strategic partnership is mutual respect for the interests of each country.

The foreign affairs minister said Ukraine would continue to work toward closer relations with Poland, whom he identified as another key strategic partner, as well as with all of its other immediate neighbors, with the major European centers of power such as Germany, France and Great Britain.

He said, however, that his central foreign policy accent would be to develop the European integration of Ukraine. He explained that, because Ukraine has set a goal to make Kyiv an undivided part of "the European house," a systematic program for integration needs to be developed that would rid Ukraine's foreign policy of chaos and useless illusions.

Mr. Zlenko explained that the new globalization processes transforming international relations encompass a new pragmatism, one that Ukraine would adopt. "I see this stage as a time of pragmatic and strict defense of the national interests of our country," said Mr. Zlenko.

He said that Ukraine would need to set goals for the development of a high level of economic and legal standards, and to demonstrate the effort the government is making to achieve them.

In explaining that foreign policy and domestic policy must work hand-in-hand, Mr. Zlenko stated that Ukraine would develop new foreign policy initiatives that he labeled, "ambassadors of Ukrainian business" and "Ukrainian business assistance." The programs would work to further Ukraine's commercial interests abroad and allow the Foreign Affairs Ministry to act as the lobbying arm for Ukrainian businesses.

Mr. Zlenko acknowledged that a new chapter had opened in relations with Russia in the months since his appointment. He explained that cooperation with Moscow had taken on "realistic and practical meaning," and that the two countries are in the process of developing a relationship of equal and mutually interested partners.

"It must be understood that if Ukraine agrees with Russia on a specific question, that doesn't mean it is following in Moscow's path," said Mr. Zlenko. And, conversely, if Kyiv doesn't support a Russian position, there is no reason to believe that the Berlin Wall is rising between us."

The foreign affairs minister said the key in relations with Moscow, Washington or Brussels is that Ukraine must identify and protect its own national self-interests and that its partners respect that goal.

He also underscored the need to expand relations between the partners in GUUAM, the yet to be formalized cooperation association of Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova.

Mr. Zlenko explained that Ukraine also must continue to look at other parts of the world where it may be able to develop trading partnerships, including the Near and Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America.

Finally, he called on his cadres to pursue their foreign policy work in a manner "transparent before society." He added that without a free press and freedom of thought there is no future for "a democratic European Ukraine" because the country would be left with a foreign policy that is unrealistic, ineffective and illusory.

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