Embassies in Ukraine share their thoughts on the first decade (09/02/01)

THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

Embassies in Ukraine share their thoughts on the first decade

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

To round out our comprehensive coverage of the celebration of Ukraine's 10th anniversary, The Ukrainian Weekly decided to turn to the diplomatic community in Kyiv. We contacted six foreign embassies in Kyiv whose countries have close relations with Ukraine - Belarus, Canada, Germany, Poland, Russia and the United States - to request their thoughts on 10 years of Ukrainian independence.

The specific questions posed to the ambassadors were: In your estimation, how has your country's position vis-à-vis Ukraine changed over the past 10 years? How do you see relations developing further between your country and Ukraine?

Not all the ambassadors responded directly, two gave answers through subordinates, and only the Embassy of Russia failed to provide any response. Initially, a representative of the Russian Embassy told The Weekly that Ambassador Viktor Chernomyrdin was in Moscow. In later attempts to reach the ambassador we were simply informed that he was busy and not available for comment.

Following are the responses of five embassies.

Ambassadorial Aide Valerii Baranovskyi of the Republic of Belarus:

Ukraine and Belarus were among the first to recognize one another's independence and to develop diplomatic relations, which have since developed very dynamically. There have been 69 international and intergovernmental accords signed between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus.

Among the fundamental documents that establish our relationship and our economic cooperation are the Agreement on Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus and the Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus on economic cooperation for the years 1999-2008. There also are intergovernmental agreements on free trade, on stimulating investment and on military-technical cooperation.

In the 1995-2001 timeframe there were 14 meetings between Presidents Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine and Alyaksandr Lukashenka of the Republic of Belarus. In 2001 the president of Ukraine visited the Republic of Belarus twice, and the prime minister and minister of foreign affairs once each.

The various ministers and heads of governmental departments of Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus are in constant contact. We also have a very active Ukrainian-Belarusian inter-governmental commission on economic and trade cooperation, which has met officially six times.

Relations between Belarus and Ukraine can and should develop only for the better, as should be the case between brotherly Slavic neighbors. We have many common and interesting projects, which when implemented will benefit both countries. We have many common interests in the international arena and much in common in our cultural life.

The last 10 years have included events of great importance that have changed the political map of the world. In this time the countries and circumstances under which we live have changed. The developmental tendencies of Ukraine in the last decade of the 20th century are similar to those of the rest of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

As regards Ukraine, of primary importance is that it became an independent country, which develops its own foreign policies and takes an active part in international organizations. Ukraine is actively building a fully democratic civil society. The country is developing legislation that meets international norms.

The president of Ukraine and the government are working purposefully to ensure the needs of society. This is a difficult task, without a doubt, with many obstacles.

However, we, its closest neighbors and friends, believe that Ukraine will overcome temporary difficulties and will very soon become the most prosperous country of the region.

Ambassador Designate Andrew Robinson of Canada:

Since 1991, when Canada was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine's independence, the two countries have continued to develop a strong and productive relationship. As Ukraine grows increasingly confident in its independence, the strengths of its people and its manifold resources, reinforces its prospects for economic growth, and takes advantage of opportunities to participate in regional and international initiatives and organizations, the relations between our two countries will continue to grow and strengthen.

Canada is interested first and foremost in the development of a healthy, economically prosperous and democratic Ukraine. Our bilateral relations continue to be directed to furthering this goal. In this regard, our technical cooperation program, manifested in many forms and economic sectors, plays a positive role in encouraging these welcome developments. Ukraine's economic growth of the past year, as well as its prospects for this and the next year, create new opportunities for partnership and trade. These will only be enhanced by continued attention to developing the rule of law, transparency and the promotion of conditions favorable to foreign investment.

Canada believes that a vital and independent Ukraine has a critical role to play on the regional and international stages. In this respect, we are particularly pleased to see Ukraine take an active part in the United Nations through its current membership in the Security Council, and by its continuing participation in the U.N.'s global peacekeeping operations. Ukraine's constructive and close cooperation with NATO also is warmly welcomed by Canada. Developing Ukraine's international and multilateral role will mean new opportunities for Canadian-Ukrainian cooperation. Our partnership is driven by a special dynamic of friendship and shared history, which will ensure its strength and success.

Ambassador Ditmar Schtuedemann of the Federal Republic of Germany:

The Federal Republic of Germany, without exaggeration, can be called one of those that aided in the birth of today's independent Ukrainian state. The change in relations between the East and the West at the end of the 1980s, the center of which was the reunion of Germany, also opened the doors for Ukrainian independence. Germany has been present in Ukraine since the beginning of the new era - from 1989 when it established a general consulate, which became a full-fledged embassy at the beginning of 1992.

I would also like to recall again that after World War II many immigrants found temporary or long-term refuge in Germany and did much there to retain their personal Ukrainian origins.

The Federal Republic of Germany accompanied and supported contemporary Ukraine in its complicated path of transformation from the very beginning. It supported this with specific recommendations within the country - for instance a group of German economic consultants is doing wonderful work there - but also in contacts at the highest political levels and by working actively within the European Union and other international organizations to accommodate Ukraine's needs. Inasmuch as our own history is marked with many critical turning points, we understand well the special difficulties in the reorganization of the state and society that are taking place in Ukraine.

Our own history also showed us that reforms must begin and continue decisively, that indecision means a step backward, and that the principles of democracy, rule of law, transparency and civil society will either be realized in full or not at all. We wish Ukrainian political leaders additional courage, courage to confirm their European choice and more quickly complete necessary reforms. The citizens of the country will be grateful for this.

Chargé d'Affaires Wojczek Zajaczkowski of the Republic of Poland:

In speaking of the relationship between Poland and Ukraine it must be said, first and foremost, that it is in regards to the existence of two independent countries. Until 1991 we did not have the abilities to develop relations with a free and independent Ukraine. From the Polish point of view, the appearance of an independent Ukraine on the map of Europe is one of the most important events of the 20th century.

I believe that earlier, when one spoke of Poles and Ukrainians, historical themes dominated: Volyn, Akcja Wisla, and even more distant historical events. No one considered how Ukraine and Poland would live alongside one another at the end of the 20th century.

When an independent Ukrainian state appeared, many people in Poland asked the question: How can it be - how will we be able to live with this country, which was not on the map earlier and about which many stereotypes existed in Poland, a country with which many were altogether unfamiliar? What type of domestic and foreign policies would it pursue?

But I believe that rather quickly after Ukraine's independence Poles came to understand that [the country] is one of Poland's best neighbors.

I believe this portrays fully the context of the changes that have taken place in the last 10 years: the initial reservations and unfamiliarity with this full partner, which changed into unbridled confidence and the development of relations in practically all spheres.

Ambassador Carlos Pascual of the United States:

I think that the relationship between the United States and Ukraine has evolved over the years and that it will continue to evolve, particularly as Ukraine's own policies change and evolve. But I also believe that there continues to be a consistent vision of this relationship: a Ukraine that is a part of Europe that is whole and free and at peace, a Europe that shares with the United States the common values of a democratic society and a market-oriented economy.

Ten years ago Ukraine made a choice for independence and sovereignty, and Ukrainians declared their hopes for integration into Europe. Ukraine has made progress in the difficult tasks of building a new state and a new society. Today's Ukraine is still not what all Ukrainians hope it would be. Much remains to be done to complete and consolidate economic reform and to guarantee democratic institutions and individual rights. The United States continues to work with Ukraine on these difficult issues and to urge Ukraine's leadership to make the choices that will bring about a stronger, more prosperous and more democratic Ukraine.

During the coming months, Ukraine has another historic opportunity to demonstrate that it is moving in the right direction. Holding free and fair parliamentary and local elections will be a big step along this road, as will the transparent and conclusive resolution of the cases of the journalists [Heorhii] Gongadze and [Ihor] Aleksandrov. We hope that our relations with Ukraine, with its government and with its people, can continue to grow and develop. But this can happen only on the basis of Ukraine's forward movement on these important issues.

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