Speech by Kristian Vigenin in plenary on the debate on Ukraine | 13.03.2013
Mr. Commissioner,
Colleagues,
This is not our first debate on Ukraine; for sure it will not be the last. Why is Ukraine so important to us? Because we care about the country and its people, because it’s the largest country of the Eastern neighbourhood, because it plays an important role in the security of the region, for the smooth energy supplies to the EU, etc., etc. We have negotiated the most ambitious Association Agreement ever with a third country and we are so close to sign and implement it putting and end to the so-called post-Soviet space turning into an EU-to-be space. EU-Ukraine Summit last month was another encouraging event on this way, which had to be used to make further progress.
However, the closer we are, the more difficult it becomes to make those small steps which will put Ukraine irreversibly on the way towards gradual approximation and integration with the EU. Where is the problem? I had enough of excuses and accusations, explanations and promises. Ukraine is simply becoming a hostage of endless party fights, in which all sides use all weapons they posses.
Is it really so difficult for President and government to address those simple and clear requests of the EU, if such a big achievement is at stake? Why is the judiciary again and again taking actions with predictably negative impact in Brussels? The judiciary must be independent but it has to be also responsible, when it comes to the fulfilment of national goals. In this respect, how come and MP, a lawyer, who is by chance defender of the imprisoned opposition leader, cannot foresee what would be the outcome of his non-compliance with the law?
I want to turn to my Ukrainian colleagues in the Rada: Please, both majority and minority Members, stop these suicidal fights, take a breath, look around and see what kind of future are you building or rather failing to build for your people! Elections are over, learn the lessons, fulfil the OSCE recommendations to make the next ones better and respect each other, if you want Ukraine to be respected!
And I call on my colleagues in the European Parliament – let us not import or reproduce the political tensions here, let us export to Kiev our ability to find constructive compromises!