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On November 27th the Institute for World Politics held a discussion with the head of European Parliament delegation on cooperation with Ukraine Pawel Koval.The day before the summit of “Eastern Partnership” in Vilnius European Parliament member arrived in Kyiv to discuss the current situation around the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, and to visit the EuroMaydan. European Parliament member admitted that on Monday night he felt the need to come to Ukraine and support people, especially students, on the Maidan.
“If people are on the Maidan for three to four days (young, promising people who have not left the country going to the West), we should not close our eyes and pretend that there are nobody there. I was very happy when these people had allowed me to speak at the European Square. Someone needs to arrive to them, especially European politicians, and say that the doors (to the European Union. -Ed.) are open to them. If we do not open them in Vilnius, we will open them a little bit later, “- said Mr. Koval.
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European Parliament member confirmed that there still is a chance to sign an Association Agreement, so politicians and diplomats have to think what else can be done.
“Many people are already talking about a back-up plan”. But today, I, as a politician, would not like to speak of a plan “B”, we have two more days left. Of course, after the statement of Prime Minister Azarov political situation is very complicated. Nobody have expected this statement. But if we look back at the history of Ukraine of the last ten years, we will see that there were many situations when unexpected decisions were made at the last moment, “- said Mr. Koval. European politician also emphasized that currently there are no legal obstacles to sign the agreement in Vilnius.
“Of course, the political situation at the moment is not conducive/favorable for the signing. My message is very simple: Let diplomats and politicians work together until the last second, they must give up. «We will have to think about back-up plan on Monday and Tuesday,» – said the European parliament member.
“I am against strategic pauses. We know what it means in this part of the world strategic pause : it does not a pause – it’s a space in which someone else can enter. This space refers not only to politics, but even the human thought,”- said Mr. Koval and urged not lose optimism regarding the European future of Ukraine.
“I do not want you to consider me naïve man. I know Ukraine. But I believe this is a huge mistake to come now to Ukraine and say that nothing can be achieved or that nothing will come out of Urkaine. I’m going to take part in forming this opinion,”- said Koval.
Director for the energy programs of the Center “Nomos” Michael Honchar said that the European Union also has at its disposal powerful leverages to influence/impact upon Russia. In particular, the EU is the largest consumer of Russian energy resources.
In response, Mr. Koval said that the EU cannot use the same methods as the Russian Federation: “The European Union – it is not a country. We have a different structure and methods, we depend on other factors.”
However, the European Parliament member said that European politicians should think how to compensate “this highly politicized activity of Russia”.
“There are many opportunities. We should concentrate on instruments of the Eastern Partnership, on youth, visa issues. If this signal is tough and clear, it will work in Ukraine and the West,”- said Mr. Koval.
He also appreciated skeptically the idea of creating Tripartite Commission of Ukraine, the EU and Russia. According to Koval, Ukraine’s position in this committee will be the same as the position of the Ukraine SSR in the UN. We could talk about such a commission, said Koval, if Kyiv have already signed an Association Agreement with the EU.
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