Publication

Before the working visit of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko to the Kingdom of the Netherlands the Institute of World Policy interviewed leading Dutch experts and prepared a memo. The memo for President Poroshenko ahead of his visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands

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During his visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko should bring up the following issues:
Regarding the Referendum:
– Congratulate the Dutch people on the democracy they have; underline that in Ukraine people see the Dutch referendum as democracy t work and aspire to have this kind of democracy at home;
– Ukraine also sees the referendum as an opportunity for Ukraine and the Netherlands to get to know each other better and cooperate;
– Ukraine understands the concerns that Dutch citizens have. Ukraine has a lot to share and is ready to assure the Netherlands that their concerns are unfounded
Regarding the Association Agreement:
– That it is NOT about the EU Membership;
– However, it is about assistance and expertise from fellow Europeans in curtailing Ukraine`s problems, especially in democratic reform and fighting corruption;
– That it is about turning Ukraine into a stable and prosperous democracy, so that Ukrainians have to need to leave the country and add to the already large numbers of refugees moving to European companies to invest and do business with.
Regarding MH17:
– Underline that Ukraine values the cooperation with NL and will continue to work together on all aspects. The people downing MH17 will be brought to justice and Ukraine will help in every sense to seek justice for victims.
The President should be ready for the following questions:
– About human rights violations in Donbass including by volunteer battalions from Ukrainian side;
– Negative effects of cutting DNR/LNR off from financing;
– Way IDP`s are treated in rest of Ukraine;
– Influence of Pravy Sektor/Jarosh etc;
– On anti-discrimination and LGBT-rights as well.

In order to maximize the effect of his messages the President should:
– Hold an open discussion/debate, which would be open to the media;
– Ask the media to take the Russian propaganda threat very seriously and double-check the information they use;

Additional ideas from the Ukrainian community in the Netherlands:

– Express a wish to return to the Netherlands, when tulips bloom;

– Assure the Dutch that their football is one of the best in the world, and that although their failure to qualify for the European Championship upset their fans in Ukraine, that is not a reason to abandon hope for good game and winning in the future;

– When communicating with children, ask whether they have already met Sinterklaas, and parallel him with Saint Nicholas (the event is going to last until December 5);

– Express gratitude to Beja Kluiters, other organizations, and the ordinary Dutch people for their humanitarian aid to Ukraine;

– Meet the Ukrainians living in the Netherlands;

– Organize events promoting the expansion of business between the two countries;

– Visit the Tesla factory and other innovative enterprises, or just meet the relevant businessmen; offer cooperation;

– Pay attention to Dutch expertise on coastal and aquatic structures; parallel it with the needs of Ukraine;

– Pay attention to the tragedy of 1953, when the province of Zeeland was flooded, and how the Netherlands resolved that crisis, and do they prevent the threats related to water;

– Meet the royal family;

– Make an agreement on quotas for Ukrainian students in the Netherlands (scholarships from Dutch government);

– Make an agreement on the Ukrainian year in the Netherlands and vice versa, in order to develop cultural exchange.