Ukraine should return to a multiple-vector model of foreign policy, work for the formation of a free trade zone with the European Union and normalize its relations with Russia, a Ukrainian banker and presidential hopeful, Serhiy Tihipko, has said.
“At a strategic level Ukraine as a country with a low level of
external threats and export-dependent economy, a country, which is
objectively influenced by several centers of power in Eurasia, should
return to multi-vector balanced policies with the stress on economic
diplomacy,” Tihipko said in the article published in a Saturday’s issue
of the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Mirror Weekly) newspaper.
Tihipko believes that Ukraine should not become a member of NATO,
but focus on establishing a free trade zone with the European Union.
“The relations with NATO should be confined to partnership, whereas
the dialog with the EU should be developed through the Association
Agreement and the free trade zone. Meanwhile, Ukraine should more
rigidly protect the interests of its citizens,” he said.
Ukraine’s relations with Russian could be improved, the politician believes.
“The relations with Russia could be normalized by turning to the
project of ‘join industrial breakthrough’, which embraces creation of
maximum favorable conditions for industrial cooperation based on
advanced technology. At the same time, the tough political and
humanitarian problems should be pushed to the sidelines,” Tihipko said.
