Kyiv is not saying tomorrow, and Brussels is not saying never

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In the course of Viktor Yushchenko`s second European tour, Ukraine and the European Union have defined the steps to meet each half way over next three years.

On February 21, the European Union and Ukraine signed the Ukraine-EU Plan of Action for 2005-2007 in Brussels. According to the document, the EU will provide assistance to Ukraine on issues of accession to the World Trade Organization and in obtaining the status of a country with market economy. This should take place by the end of 2005. After that, the EU is ready to begin dialog about setting up a free trade zone between Ukraine and the EU. The Plan of Action also stipulated talks about simplifying the visa regime between Ukraine and the EU and top-level talks on energy issues. In addition to that, the EU announced that it intends to increase assistance to Ukraine on issues of ensuring compliance of Ukranian goods with European standards in order to access EU markets. This should, in fact, bring benefits to Ukranian industry.

In turn, Ukraine has undertaken obligations to conduct reform of its judicial system, ensure a transparent privatization process, reinforce the fight against corruption and other obligations. When the plan is successfully fulfilled, the EU is prepared to conclude a new enhanced agreement with Ukraine in 2008 on partnership and cooperation. However, as to the format of future relations, the positions of the two parties are quite different. President Victor Yushchenko is convinced that in 2008 Ukraine should begin talks on EU accession. Commenting on the signing of the agreement and pointing out at the same time that he was satisfied with the plan, Ukraine`s president underscored, we are only concerned about one thing. namely, the plan of action must open a new horizon, it has not yet been defined.

All said and done, Luxenbourg`s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, who signed the plan of the behalf of the EU, did not use expression more definite than 'neighborhood policy' in his statement.

Nevertheless, Ukraine`s Vice Premier for European Integration Oleg Rybachyk is optimistic.  We agreed with the Europeans: we`ve not saying tomorrow and they`re saying 'never'. Right now we are like first graders demanding a high school diploma. When we go from year to year with excellent grades, then we will be able to demand a diploma with honors, the vice premier eloquently said.

Evidently, a similar accent will be placed on Ukraine`s policy toward the EU for at least the next three years. Further, we are not hearing hasty, unfounded statements like -We are applying for EU membership- from the new government as was typical for the outgoing regime. Now, it`s time to buckle up and do our homework.

Kyiv Weekly #7 February 25-March 4, 2005 pg 3