This year's inaugural lecture was held by Borys Tarasyuk, deputy chairman of the Ukrainian Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. As a starting point, he reminded the audience of the fact that today, the July 4th 2016, marks the 240th anniversary of the Day of Independence of the United States of America. “Without the USA, Europe could not have risen so fast out of the ash after the Second World War.“ He stressed that the USA were important, are still important and continue to be important for Europe, notwithstanding their current loss of leadership. And the main geopolitical objective for Europe – “a Europe whole, free and at peace“ – was made popular by US president George Bush in 1989. But this objective, as Borys Tarasyuk showed, is in serious danger today. There still exists a divide between what is politically and what is geographically Europe – because East European states such as Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Romania and Belarus “have a legitimite right“ to be part of the EU and until now they aren't. This was a crucial point concerning the conceptual mistakes of the EU the ambassador criticized: As part of the considerations of the European Neighbourhood Policy which was decided by the EU in 2004, “states in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and East European states as the Ukraine were put into one basket“. He continued that this was corrected in 2009 by the Eastern Partnership, an initiative of Poland and Sweden – but still this initiative is to weak. Tarasyuk mentioned institutional weakness as a general problem of the EU. A further one is that “nationalism and national egoism came about including leading countries of the EU. Lateral energy projects with Russia are the best example for such national egoism. It still exists and it is a persisting obstacle for developments of the EU“.
The reasons why the popular idea of a Europe whole, free and at peace is still not achieved, are multiple according to Tarasyuk. He referred to the spread of internal eurosceptism, the problematic influx of refugees and the Brexit result – “a serious challenge and a shock for the EU“ – which will probably bring Scottland back to a referendum of independence. Furthermore, he referred to the situation in Greece and finally to the Russian factor and its aggressiveness. “Russia is giving its utmost to destroy the European Union, doesn't wish it to be whole, free and at peace!“ Tarasyuk noted that today, Europe is less secure, that a coherent European security policy is lacking, that the EU is “selfish and short-sided in terms of security“ and that Ukraine is “the victim of the situation“, confronting the 3rd largest military power – on its own. “Ukraine accomplished a lot for Europe, is the biggest contributor to the NATO – in exchange for security guarantees. But the USA and UK do nothing, they discredit international principles.“ This, according to Tarasyuk, encourages the Russian Federation to continue playing on the West's reluctance to be involved in decisive counteractions – being ready to invade the Baltic states.
As a possible alternative to the European security policy so far, Tarasyuk pointed to the Balto-Black Sea initiative which was suggested by Ukraine. Its main thougt is to bring EU members together in terms of security. Tarasyuk hopes for wider projects resulting from this initaitive, in order to finally unite for defence against the Russian aggressor.
Tarasyuk also uttered hope for Poland to become a real strategic partner for Ukraine. He views the existing partnership with Poland as the most important one for Ukraine, and in order to strengthen it the tragedies of the past should be overcome. Moreover, the ambassador considered the consolidation of V4 on European integration to be very important to lay down the ground for their efficient influence in the European Union.
Tarasyuk's lecture drew a dark picture of the situation in Europe. The more surprising seemed his concluding statement whith which he responded to the initial question of trust in Europe: “There is no need for you, young people, not to trust.“ He admitted that it is most difficult to forecast how Europe's future will be – but it will depend on the young generation. There are three scenarios he could imagine: Firstly, further disintegration and shrinking of the EU. Secondly, the EU as a federal state – but this solution he deemed too futuristic and not practicable. Thirdly, reformation of the EU. “That's the demand of the day! In order to make Europe whole, free and at peace“, he concluded.
Afterwards, there arose a discussion around relationships within the EU and around the “evil scenarios“ of the Russian external policy threatening the constituents of the democratic world. Responding to the question what ideas can unite us in Europe, Tarasyuk immediately claimed: “The Russian invasian has united us!“ All the V4 countries have to face the immanent threat from Russia and should further unite, according to him. Another question: “Without good relations between the Russian Federation and the EU – is there a whole, free and peaceful Europe possible at all?“ Przemysław Żurawski vel Grajewski, one of the guests, commented: “Yes!“ As an example, he reminded that the restoring of Macedonia (the homeland of the interrogator) was possible without Russian interference. To expect Russia to keep friendship is naive, according to him. „We in Europe can cope with our problems without Russia.“
Magdaléna Vášáryova asked about the dialogue between Germany and the Ukraine. Here, Tarasyuk uttered the wish that Germany should turn to a more understandable policy towards Ukraine. „But we are not so naive that we expect something. Germany pays not enough interest in Ukrainian problems.“ As an example, he mentioned the Minsk Process in which Germany and France were the key states. They agreed on commitments for Ukraine regarding e.g. local elections. “Commitments under that circumstances?“ Fairly imaginable. Concerning his general expectations towards the EU in relation to Ukraine, Tarasyuk declared his clear conviction: „Without contributing more to security and defence, there will be no miracle.“
by Jill-Francis Käthliz
