Thursday, October 5, 2006
Throughout
European history, my country, Ukraine, has been badly misunderstood in Western
capitals. Until the middle of the past century, it was referred to as "the
Okraina," literally the borderlands between European civilization and a
distant and unfathomable Russia. There are perhaps many in Europe who still see
us that way, but in fact things have changed in Ukraine, to an extent that
surprises even those of us who played a part in bringing about those changes.
On
Aug. 2, Ukraine's president, Viktor Yushchenko, and I, along with other
political leaders, signed a statement of principles that we believe will serve
as the foundation for modern Ukraine. This statement will provide a blueprint
for the government and a guide to reforms to which we are committed. Among
the key points:
·
Economic reform. Our citizens have been left behind by the economic "shock
therapy" and subsequent wave of prosperity that has swept over Eastern
Europe since 1989. We have seen what lowering taxes, securing private
prosperity and liberalizing trade have done for our neighbors in Europe. Our
government is going to be pro-business and committed to building an economy
that will be competitive in world markets. Our first step on this path will be
passage of legislation required for entry into the World Trade Organization.
·
Political pluralism. The powers of our government are divided fairly and are
faithful to the results of our parliamentary elections in March. The party of
Yushchenko -- Our Ukraine -- continues to hold the presidency and ministerial
positions in foreign affairs, defense, interior and the National Security
Council. My party, the Party of Regions, holds the prime ministerial post and
the majority of ministerial posts overall (they are heavily focused on the
economy). The leader of the Socialist Party, Oleksander Moroz, is speaker of
the parliament and a member of the governing coalition. My political opponent
Yulia Tymoshenko is head of the largest opposition bloc in parliament and is
already a candidate in the 2009 presidential elections. Parliament may at times
be more raucous than the U.S. Congress, but it is no less representative.
·
Constructive relations with Russia and, where possible, a broadening of
cooperation. We believe that the core principle of both liberal trade theory
and diplomacy is a respect for the political character and sovereign
independence of other states. We believe these principles will guide our
relations with Russia on a range of bilateral issues, including our discussions
of energy security and cross-border investment.
President
Yushchenko and I also agree that Ukraine has made a choice for Europe and will
pursue closer relations with all European and Euro-Atlantic
institutions. With the European Union, we are working on an action plan of
reforms under the auspices of the European Neighborhood Policy, which we hope
will lead to the beginning of negotiations on an E.U.-Ukraine free-trade
agreement. With the United States, we are developing an action plan of
anti-corruption measures and judicial reform under a grant from the Millennium
Challenge Corp. And we are committed to continuing active cooperation with
NATO.
As
our relations with NATO have been a source of some confusion, let me be clear. The
president and I have secured legislation that allows Ukrainian troops to
participate in NATO exercises, in Ukraine and elsewhere. We intend to pursue
defense reforms. But when an invitation is extended, we will hold a referendum
in which the Ukrainian people can make their choice. Whatever happens in this
regard, however, there should be no doubting our nation's European direction.
Finally,
Ukraine is and will remain a country of great diversity. We have the largest
Jewish population in Europe. I have many close friends of the Islamic faith,
and we have countless Christian denominations, including at least three
Orthodox ones.
Like
Canada and Switzerland, we speak two languages, Ukrainian and Russian. I come
from Eastern Ukraine, where the first language of the majority of people is
Russian. This, too, has been a source of misunderstanding. Some have suggested
that the cultural influence of Russia and the linguistic origins of people such
as myself are proof that the Party of Regions is pro-Russian. It is not. The
presence of Spanish-speaking Americans in the Republican and Democratic parties
does not make those parties pro-Spain or "pro" any other country. By
the same token, the American people should not think that my party, or for that
matter any party in Ukrainian politics, is less than completely committed to
the cultural unity and political independence of a sovereign Ukrainian nation.
Be
assured, Europe and America need not look for Ukraine somewhere out on the
borderlands anymore. After we have completed our reforms and built our economy,
Ukraine will be found at the very center of the Euro-Atlantic world.
The
writer is prime minister of Ukraine.
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