On Ukraine’s 18th national holiday, it is worth taking a look at the future of relations among Ukraine, the European Union and Germany. The picture of Ukraine drawn by the German media is rarely flattering. This is all the more painful because, as a long-time advocate of German-Ukrainian friendship and as the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Germany, I have come to know and love Ukraine and its citizens as an admirable, intelligent and extraordinarily warm people. But when Ukraine is reported on in the German media, the picture is often a negative one. Reports are usually about the political problems and the delays in the preparations for hosting the European soccer championship in 2012. The preparations for the European championship are not only of interest to Germany as a soccer nation, but also because Germany is being mentioned behind closed doors as a possible alternative, should the Union of European Football Associations decide to revoke Ukraine’s hosting rights.
Both topics, the political standstill and the Euro 2012, put Ukraine in a negative light. In fact, Germany and the EU have neglected Ukraine to date. Though the founding of Ukraine was welcomed by the German government and the Orange Revolution was favorably received, Germany, as the most populous and influential country in the EU, is too reserved. For more than 10 years, Ukraine has been striving to join the European Union. It has every right to do so, because Ukraine is an integral component of Europe.
Brussels’ reserve in the 1990s may have been due to the massive efforts of preparing for the largest expansion in EU history. But later advances by Ukraine were also received cautiously by the EU.
All the more surprising is the often-repeated comment in the German media that Poland has been acting in an exemplary manner in its preparations for Euro 2012. One must keep in mind, however, that Brussels is financing up to 50 percent of the estimated 20 billion euros in infrastructure expenses and construction costs for Poland to put on the games.
Ukraine, on the other hand, has no outside help to shoulder the 15 billion euros in investments it needs to adapt sports, transportation and telecommunications to UEFA standards. The bulk of the investments are to be contributed by private investors. This is organizationally more complex, as well as a challenge during these times of financial crisis.
Statements about what EU membership would have done for Ukraine are, of course, hypothetical. But experts assume that 400,000 jobs have been created by the EU since Poland joined the 27-nation political and economic bloc. Average monthly wages have increased by 150 euros per month since 2004. Poland has experienced economic growth directly connected to its EU membership.
The criticism in the Western media regarding Ukrainian political gridlock also appears to be legitimate at first glance. On the other hand, out of all of the former countries of the Soviet Union, only Ukraine and Georgia do not have an autocratic system. They have democratic structures. I am confident that Ukraine will overcome the stalemate among president, parliament and government in the near future. Again, in the past, democratic changes were implemented most rapidly in countries where EU entry was offered as a prospect.
Germany, as the nation that profited the most from the end of the Cold War, should play a special role in opening the EU door to Ukraine. The fact that 14 million citizens of the former East Germany profited from their economically stronger West Germany brother should not make them arrogant. Instead, it should inspire more responsibility towards Ukraine, with whom we are linked tragically by World War II.
Already 52 percent of Ukrainians support EU membership. The IFAK Institute has also found that more Ukrainians trust the euro than the U.S. dollar.
This support has been greeted by an EU partnership agreement, which is more of an affront to Ukrainians than a friendly signal. Ultimately, Germany and the EU should ask themselves whether it remains in their interests to keep Ukraine at a distance, contributing to unsettled issues with Russia. A decision about a concrete perspective of joining the EU is economically and politically overdue for Ukraine.
Despite media reports, Ukraine is enjoying growing popularity in Germany. Numerous German foundations and organizations are present in the nation.
So what specifically can be done to support Ukrainian entry into the EU?
The Ukrainian government should lobby important EU countries, starting with image campaigns and PR to improve the distorted image. Also, quite a bit can be done on a civil-society level. There are already numerous initiatives from foundations, communities and industries to promote a closer exchange between the two countries. Opinions in democracies are not just formed by the media, but also among the population, which is the essence of political participation. Everyone can do something to concretely bring Ukraine closer to the EU by participating in grassroots initiatives and dialogue. Everyone can make their own personal contributions. My hopes are for a fruitful future together. And I wish Ukrainians all the best on their 18th Independence Day.
Hansjürgen Doss is honorary consul of Ukraine in Mainz, Germany. He is also president of the German-Ukrainian Society (Deutsch-Ukrainische Gesellschaft) and was a member of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1981 to 2002. He can be reached at [email protected].
