Aleksander Kwasniewski: Ukraine, the West need one another

Aleksander Kwasniewski: Ukraine, the West need one another

Ukrinform
KYIV, March 7 /UKRINFORM/. The West needs Ukraine, and Ukraine needs the West, Aleksander Kwasniewski, special envoy of the European Parliament to Ukraine, said in the Global Affairs blog of the American publication The Hill.

“My message here in Washington and in Europe is that the West needs Ukraine, and Ukraine needs the West - in economic, political and military terms,” Kwasniewski said.

“Against the backdrop of a resurgent Russia and Moscow's efforts to reconstruct at least the spirit of a superpower through the fledgling Customs Union, Ukraine is of great geopolitical importance to Europe,” he said, adding, “Although not a member, it is a de facto part of the security umbrella provided by NATO”.

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“In fact, if managed carefully, relations between Europe and Ukraine can benefit the West on areas as wide-ranging as defense and energy security,” Kwasniewski says, noting “Ukraine is in a crucial phase in its development as a post-Soviet democracy.”

Poland's ex-president insists that “Ukraine can be a source of stability and security in the region, a non-NATO nation that nevertheless cooperates with NATO and provides a counterweight to growing Russian regional power. It represents an enormous opportunity for Europe's security that should not be squandered.”

Kwasniewski does not deny that “the judicial and legal systems are in need of much reform in order to come into line with Western norms.” “I am deeply aware of these shortcomings and committed to helping Kyiv overcome them. That includes finding a positive resolution to the detentions of Tymoshenko and former Minister Yuri Lutsenko,” he said.

“Ukraine's importance is undeniable,” the politician said, adding, “We should make sure Ukraine enjoys deeper European integration and cooperation with the United States and Europe on energy security and defense. It should be a priority shared on both sides of the Atlantic.”

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