European Union pledges to assist Ukraine in improving ties with Europe (08/05/01)

European Union pledges to assist Ukraine in improving ties with Europe

by Maryna Makhnonos
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

KYIV - The European Union will do everything to improve Ukraine's ties with the European community, said the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, at a meeting with Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma on July 30 in Crimea.

Mr. Solana praised Ukraine for restructuring its debt to the Paris Club of creditor nations and improving its standing with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

He added that European Union officials have decided to invite Ukraine to an upcoming meeting of EU representatives in order to promote better relations with Ukraine. He also discussed the Ukraine-EU summit, which is scheduled to be held in Crimea in September.

Mr. Solana and President Kuchma conferred on Ukraine's trade with European countries and neighboring Russia, Ukraine's efforts to reform its agricultural sector, land titling issues, energy sector problems and privatization of state energy companies.

Mr. Solana began his visit to Ukraine on Monday, July 30, meeting in Kyiv with Prime Minister Anatolii Kinakh and ambassadors of the EU countries in Ukraine. He left for Crimea that evening for meetings with Mr. Kuchma and other government officials.

His agenda in Crimea also included visits to the former residences of tsars and Soviet leaders, other palaces and historic sites, as well as to a winery. Mr. Solana was to conclude his visit on Sunday, August 5.

At his meeting with Prime Minister Kinakh, Mr. Solana praised Ukraine's recent economic achievements and urged the government to continue reforms.

"The country is moving in the direction of positive reforms," Mr. Solana said. "But I'm sure that the prime minister and I both feel that there is still a long way to go."

Mr. Solana also called for transparent and fair parliamentary elections next March with "all the elements of a society with European values," adding that "it's very, very important that the campaign is held within European parameters."

Mr. Kuchma confirmed that Ukraine is committed to democratic elections and invited EU observers to monitor the voting process.

Speaking of plans to create joint European military forces, Mr. Solana said EU officials will consider Ukraine's offer to participate in strategic air forces.

"We are going to the summit of the European Union and Ukraine in the month of September, and I'm sure that we will talk about these issues in that context," Mr. Solana said. "We are just beginning, so we are not going to have any agreement immediately, because we have not finalized our own structure," he explained, stressing that the EU will work transparently with Ukraine's government during the project.

After meeting with his Belgian counterpart, Andre Flahaut, in Crimea earlier in July, Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksander Kuzmuk had said Ukraine was ready to participate in joint European military forces.

Referring to the Macedonian conflict, the result of a February uprising of Albanian rebels against the Macedonian government, Mr. Solana said the EU would defend the territorial integrity of Macedonia, which must be maintained through peace talks. Peace talks are "the best way for stability and prosperity of that country, which is close to our hearts," Mr. Solana said.

Mr. Kinakh confirmed that Ukraine, one of Macedonia's main weapons suppliers, is considering halting arms supplies during the peace talks. However, he urged that other countries do the same.

"Ukraine supports the European community's efforts to solve the Macedonian issue peacefully and in a democratic way," Mr. Kinakh said. He added that Ukraine will continue military cooperation with Macedonia, including training its professional staff, and upgrading and repairing military equipment.

Mr. Solana's visit follows recent high-level visits by U.S. and Russian officials. Ukraine has proclaimed itself a neutral country, but participates in various military exercises sponsored by NATO, whose expansion is opposed by Russia, Ukraine's influential neighbor and key trading partner. In foreign policy, Ukraine is maneuvering between integration with Europe and closer ties with Russia.

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