Comment 3 - Ukraine-EU Momentum Should Not Be Wasted - Viktoria Berezhets'Ka

2
Viktoria Berezhets’ka, 17/01/1989, City University of Se attle (VSM),  viktoria.ber ezhetskaya@vsm-student.sk  2011 My comment on the article named “ Ukraine-EU momentum should not be wasted by Kostiantyn Yelisieiev http://euobserver.com/7/113950  Historically, Ukraine was viewed as a border between West and East. Recently, Ukraine was stuck between Russia and EU. As soon as country turned West, the time of elections came and everything changed. This year was hard and unstable for Ukraine. At first, crisis hit the country, then political instability, and now the Ukraine-EU momentum along with Tymoshenko trial. Where are we heading? Current situation is not under control. Indeed, Ukraine faced a dilemma. People are willing to head West, economy seems to be ready for moving on, and government was ready to make a serious step toward EU. If we are not going to take the step now, will we have a chance to take it later? We might get another chance. However, the possible EU membership is a t wo-side medal. On one hand, Ukrainians would get an opportunity to travel abroad freely. They would be able to get education and job abroad. From economical perspective, Ukraine would get a chance to increase trade. Moreover, EU considers Eastern Europeans countries less economically developed and, therefore, provides those with subsidies. Of course, the costs would be taken from the member countries but alternative ways can always be found. Another advantage is the fact that along with the increased levels of bureaucracy the magnificent amount of decisions would be made by qualified majority voting in the Council of the European Union. All these facts would make life in Ukraine better and easier for people. Moreover, the political games and corruption would cease to exist. On the other hand, it would be a problem for Ukraine to adjust to new trade patterns. With free movement of labor and capital many skilled workers might choose going to West instead of staying in Ukraine. Moreover, the agricultural reforms would take place, and might bring certain problems to the agricultural/farming sector of the country. One of the most important issues is a less of independence of the country in many areas. Nevertheless, since Tymoshenko trial is taking place, the situation is getting more and more unstable. Ukraine is risking to lose its independence and democracy on all levels and in all areas. So should the Ukraine-EU momentum be wasted? It is absolutely unacceptable for the country leader, the head of the government, and the face of the nation to make decisions which might cut out Ukraine from the reasonable part of the world. It is unacceptable to ignore the requests of the world leaders to reconsider the decision about Tymoshenko imprisonement. Finally, it is unacceptable to waste the Ukraine   EU momentum. In fact, what Ukraine faces now is a withdrawal which Mr.Yelisieiev mentioned in his article.

Transcript of Comment 3 - Ukraine-EU Momentum Should Not Be Wasted - Viktoria Berezhets'Ka

Page 1: Comment 3 - Ukraine-EU Momentum Should Not Be Wasted - Viktoria Berezhets'Ka

8/3/2019 Comment 3 - Ukraine-EU Momentum Should Not Be Wasted - Viktoria Berezhets'Ka

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/comment-3-ukraine-eu-momentum-should-not-be-wasted-viktoria-berezhetska 1/1

Viktoria Berezhets’ka, 17/01/1989, City University of Seattle (VSM), [email protected] 2011

My comment on the article named “ Ukraine-EU momentum should not be wasted ” by Kostiantyn Yelisieiev http://euobserver.com/7/113950

Historically, Ukraine was viewed as a border between West and East. Recently, Ukraine wasstuck between Russia and EU. As soon as country turned West, the time of elections came andeverything changed. This year was hard and unstable for Ukraine. At first, crisis hit the country,then political instability, and now the Ukraine-EU momentum along with Tymoshenko trial. Whereare we heading?

Current situation is not under control. Indeed, Ukraine faced a dilemma. People are willing tohead West, economy seems to be ready for moving on, and government was ready to make a

serious step toward EU. If we are not going to take the step now, will we have a chance to take itlater? We might get another chance. However, the possible EU membership is a two-side medal.

On one hand, Ukrainians would get an opportunity to travel abroad freely. They would beable to get education and job abroad. From economical perspective, Ukraine would get a chance toincrease trade. Moreover, EU considers Eastern Europeans countries less economically developedand, therefore, provides those with subsidies. Of course, the costs would be taken from the membercountries but alternative ways can always be found. Another advantage is the fact that along withthe increased levels of bureaucracy the magnificent amount of decisions would be made byqualified majority voting in the Council of the European Union. All these facts would make life inUkraine better and easier for people. Moreover, the political games and corruption would cease toexist.

On the other hand, it would be a problem for Ukraine to adjust to new trade patterns. Withfree movement of labor and capital many skilled workers might choose going to West instead of staying in Ukraine. Moreover, the agricultural reforms would take place, and might bring certainproblems to the agricultural/farming sector of the country. One of the most important issues is a lessof independence of the country in many areas. Nevertheless, since Tymoshenko trial is taking place,the situation is getting more and more unstable. Ukraine is risking to lose its independence and

democracy on all levels and in all areas. So should the Ukraine-EU momentum be wasted?It is absolutely unacceptable for the country leader, the head of the government, and the face

of the nation to make decisions which might cut out Ukraine from the reasonable part of the world.It is unacceptable to ignore the requests of the world leaders to reconsider the decision aboutTymoshenko imprisonement. Finally, it is unacceptable to waste the Ukraine – EU momentum. Infact, what Ukraine faces now is a withdrawal which Mr.Yelisieiev mentioned in his article.