| | | | | AMANDA PAUL
a.paul@todayszaman.com | ![AMANDA PAUL]() |
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| | | The EU's Eastern Partnership aims to promote closers ties between the EU and the countries in its eastern neighborhood with the goal of creating a more democratic, secure and prosperous neighborhood: a group of countries that adhere to EU values. | |
This policy could be compared to a fitness regime, with the objective of improving the economic and political health of those countries that partake in it. In return for following the “EaP workout,” participants receive closer political and economic cooperation with the EU, known as the “more for more approach.”
When the EaP was inaugurated in 2009, none of the participants (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) were particularly healthy, although some were fitter than others. Still the group shared a lot of common ailments, including rampant corruption, weak rule of law, limited freedoms and ineffective institutions. There is not one single prescription for better health; rather, each country was prescribed a “workout program”: a list of targets and criteria that needed to be met in order to get in better shape. In return, the EU put on the table Association Agreements, Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTA) and visa liberalization. Once signed, these agreements more firmly anchor partners to the EU, further promoting good health and reform.
In 2009 Ukraine was the fittest participant, making Kiev a center to follow. A regional lynch-pin Kiev had the closest and deepest relationship with the EU. Ukraine was the only country to have held free and fair elections, to have an active and vibrant civil society and a free media. Regularly citing its European choice and its desire to be an EU member, the expectation was that Kiev would be the first one to cross the EaP finishing line and have its Association Agreement and DCFTA signed, sealed and delivered -- proving the success of the EaP.
Unfortunately, this has not happened because Ukraine has proven to be a “yo-yo” dieter and the country's health has both politically and economically worsened. Kiev has been unable to stick to the EU fitness program, finding it very difficult to break bad habits, even though these bad habits are increasingly damaging the country's health and ignore the wishes of Ukrainian society, which wants (and deserves) a fitter country.
In December 2012 the EU gave Ukraine a list of criteria that needed to be met if Ukraine was to sign its Association Agreement and DCFTA at the November Vilnius EaP Summit. This included re-launching a “meaningful” reform process and putting an end to selective justice, including the case of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Recognizing Ukraine's importance, many EU heads of state and senior officials engaged in cajoling Kiev into action, including the European Parliament's Special Envoys, who have been trying to help Ukraine find a way to resolve the Tymoshenko issue. Ukrainian civil society and academia have also played a key role in monitoring the government's efforts. To say that Ukraine has done nothing would be unfair. It has taken some steps, but not enough. The level of commitment in terms of result remains insufficient.
Other countries, particularly Moldova, Georgia and Armenia, have had a more determined approach, even though this has frequently been far from easy and they, like Ukraine, have also come under pressure from Russia, to join Moscow's Eurasian Union instead. As these countries get fitter and fitter, they are starting to demand more from the EU, including a membership perspective, which the EU will find it increasingly difficult to deny them as their health continues to improve. Meanwhile, Ukraine is left treading water.
Ukraine has all the potential to be a winner and a regional champion, but its current trajectory is unfortunately making it a regional loser. Ukraine needs to end this “yo-yo” behavior and step onto the reform “treadmill.” Kiev still has a chance, but time is running out. Kiev must stop dithering and do what needs to be done. Ultimately this means allowing Tymoshenko to leave the country for medical treatment without preconditions regarding her political future. For once, let us see Ukraine's political elites put the health and future of their country before themselves. |
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