Ukraine and Poland hold economic forum (06/30/02)

Ukraine and Poland hold economic forum

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - Presidents Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine and Alexander Kwasniewski of Poland took part in the annual Ukraine-Poland Economic Forum, which this year was held in Rzeszow, Poland, to discuss issues of mutual trade, visa and customs problems and the Odesa-Brody-Gdansk oil pipeline.

The forum, which included meetings between regional leaders of both countries intended to stimulate local trade between the two states, addressed a broad range of topics, including transportation of people and goods; customs problems; cooperation in banking and finance; investments; bilateral trade, and European integration.

With Poland scheduled to join the European Union in 2004, that item was at the top of the summit's agenda. Speaking before the delegates, President Kuchma said he was concerned that the new visa regime that Poland would be forced to introduce as it became a member of the EU would hamper bilateral business contacts and stifle economic growth in both countries.

"We need to overcome the illusion that strict barriers to the transfer of people, goods and services via the Ukrainian-Polish border will provide the EU with the results they would like in the war on illegal migration or illegal drug dealing because Ukraine is not the source of these problems," explained Mr. Kuchma, according to Interfax-Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president said he believes associate status for Ukraine within the EU would help resolve the problems that will crop up after Poland moves into the economic organization.

Mr. Kwasniewski, for his part, said he would do all that was possible to "minimize the consequences of the introduction of visas," between Ukraine and Poland. He explained that Poland is working with Brussels to develop a visa regime that would include long-term, inexpensive and even cost-free visas. If approved by the EU, they would be made available to Ukrainians wishing to visit Poland depending on the traveler's needs and ability to pay.

During a special roundtable on the role of the Odesa-Brody-Gdansk pipeline in the scheme of European trade, President Kuchma urged Poland to actively work to complete the transport corridor to the northeastern Polish city of Gdansk. He expressed a desire to see the consortium developed in any shape or manner.

"We see its development on the basis of the creation of an international consortium on any terms ñ through privatization, lease or whatever," explained the Ukrainian leader.

While President Kwasniewski agreed that the pipeline is necessary because it would allow Poland and Europe to diversify their sources of energy, he disagreed with the "at all costs" attitude expressed by his Ukrainian counterpart and emphasized that the onus is on the private sector to complete the work on the Polish part of the transport line and to develop an effective consortium to operate it.

The two leaders also addressed the ongoing controversy over the Polish Orliata (Eaglets) war cemetery located in Lviv, where a controversy has again developed over what many consider overtly nationalistic memorial slogans the displayed by the Polish side. The Lviv City Council several weeks ago banned any such expressions and has refused to allow the official opening of the cemetery, which is located astride the famous Lychakiv Cemetery, where prominent Ukrainian national and historical figures are buried.

President Kwasniewski noted during a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart that five years ago the two countries signed a declaration on reconciliation, and that the current controversy surrounding the Orliata cemetery needs to be resolved with the declaration in mind.

President Kuchma supported the Polish leader and added that time would resolve the problem. While stating, "no one has the right to make politics on the graves of people," he noted that two-thirds of Lviv residents are not against the Polish cemetery.

"We will not push as to when to open it - today, tomorrow, or in two days," explained Mr. Kuchma. "But I don't think it will take too much time."

Asked what was delaying such an action, he answered simply: "Democracy."

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