Euro-optimism

Kwasnewskiy calls Ukrainians for self-confidence

Vadim RYZHKOV

Ukraine should not let slip its chance to join the European Union. This is the tenet, the Poland's former president Aleksander Kwasnewskiy insisted on, as he was delivering his speech in Dnipropetrovs'k at European Debate Forum. The world-known politician who defines himself as an advocate and adviser of Ukraine on its way to EU, went on a tour starting from  Lviv - Dnipropetrovs'k - Donetsk under the auspices of a social organization "Yalta European Strategy", founded under initiative of entrepreneur Viktor Pinchuk. The goal of the tour is to inspire the Ukrainians with "Eurooptimism" and self-confidence. Referring to his own experience, A. Kwasnewskiy claims that one has to have a dream when involved in politics. "During my presidency, - he says, - I wished Poland would become EU and NATO member, settled all disputable issues with Germany, Russia, and Ukraine. This dream has come true; however, the road towards this goal was not that easy and lasted for almost fifteen years". However, from the historic point of view, the Poland's former president said, such a term is just a tiny instant. After the orange revolution Ukraine proved to the entire world that its people also wished to live in democracy and advocate for European values. It has settled down to the same course as the neighboring Poland and therefore will always have a stable support from polish politicians. "We would like, - A. Kwasnewskiy told, - to help Ukraine integrate into European community. I believe Ukraine needs Europe as well as the latter needs Ukraine».

According to А. Kwasnewskiy, he himself is lobbying interests of Ukraine time and again at various European forums. «Of course, - the politician admitted, - there is certain " weariness" after more than ten east-European states have joined the European Union. EU should adapt itself to the new reality. Besides, some European politicians prefer not to irritate Russia with its natural gas and rockets. However it does not exclude a new EU expansion phase in the future. Ukraine,   A. Kwasnewskiy believes, should reform its economy in the meantime, and concurrently settle the existing disputes within the state's leadership that hinder from "Euro perspective". "During my presidency, - he said, - I had a chance to work with five prime ministers, however we had a single approach as for joining NATO and EU". A. Kwasnewskiy recons the same may be attained in Ukraine as well.

At the Forum held in Dnipropetrovs'k'k as opposed to Lviv, one could occasionally hear some skeptical views on feasibility of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. The Poland's former president responded with humor and was greeted with applause. "After joining the EU, - said A. Kwasnewskiy, - our country will get 63 billion of Euro loans within six years for the development of education and other purposes. This amounts to around 5-6% of contribution to the polish GDP. Now workers and specialists may find jobs in the developed EU countries, and foreign investors or tourists freely visit Poland". Some special opportunities, according to the ex-president, are now being open for a young polish generation who got a chance to study at prestigious European universities and to work in EU countries afterwards. "We are sure, - A. Kwasnewskiy emphasized, - that most of them, sooner or later, will return to Poland to invest their knowledge and capitals into Poland's economy". The arguments of the polish politician were mostly addressed to the students of Dnipropetrovs'k. "Ukrainians, - he said, - should perceive their national identity. Especially because of Klitchko brothers, Andriy Shevchenko and Ruslana who are the best ambassadors of the country in the EU". "In recent years, - admitted A. Kwasnewskiy, - I have read all Ukrainian literature pieces written after Ukraine's independence, and I must say that this is something much better  than that created by the polish. You should be proud of such achievements". According to the ex-president, "Ukrainians undoubtedly possess European mentality". "You are the only ones - he pointed out, - with the exception of Belarus, who are still beyond EU boundaries, but in general the situation can be fixed. I would like to address to you with a message: let us move forward and work together towards Ukraine's joining the EU".

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