Ukraine's Path to EU "Has No Alternatives"

KIEV, Ukraine, February 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

President Yanukovych Calls for Abolition of "Obsolete Soviet-Era Repressive Rules"

The President of Ukraine has committed his country to closer ties with the European Union and greater energy security during 2012 in a speech to mark the opening session of Parliament.  

Showing his stripes as a pro-Europe reformer, Viktor Yanukovych also declared that "obsolete Soviet-era repressive rules of law governing the state-citizen and state-business relations must be finally cancelled."

The President's speech is being viewed by observers of the nation as a challenge to his own parliamentarians in a bid to re-affirm their commitment to internal reform and the EU.

"Our path to the EU has no alternatives," he told the Rada (Parliament). "I count on lawmakers' serious and productive legislative work to support the process of our integration."

Mr Yanukovych spoke of the Euro 2012 football tournament, which begins in June, as the event that will highlight "the inseparability of Ukraine and the European space."

Ukraine has in recent days offered fresh cooperation to the EU in order to assist the bloc at a time of freezing cold and cuts of energy supplies by Russia's Gazprom.

Konstantyn Gryshchenko, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, added that Ukraine is committed to forging closer EU ties.  "We want to cooperate on energy security, discuss alternatives to traditional suppliers of gas to Ukraine, the modernisation of our pipeline transhipment network and growth in trade and investment," he said.

In his wide-ranging speech the President also stressed the importance of free trade agreements with the EU, a commitment to improving social services for the Ukrainian people and the economy, which he said remains resilient despite the immediate difficulties Ukraine will have to face this year.

"I would like to declare openly and honestly from this rostrum that this year will be extremely difficult in economic terms," he said.  "The last two years have clearly shown that for us to move forward, we need to focus on our own abilities and opportunities… therefore internal transformations are a strategic priority for 2012."

But energy, the issue that has caused so much tension with Russia, received special attention. Without mentioning the controversial high price Ukraine has been forced to pay Russia for its gas imports, he instead chose to focus on ways his country can boost its energy security through "implementing energy saving technologies and diversifying energy supplies."

"It is also necessary to finalise and submit to the Parliament the bills on reforming 'Naftogaz Ukraine,' attracting investors to the coal industry, (and the) transition to a new energy model," he said.

Mr Yanukovych said the upcoming parliamentary elections next autumn are a good opportunity to bring fresh blood to politics in Ukraine in order to improve the lives of citizens. He expects the elections "to bring a new quality of deputies, political tolerance, serious and productive discussions about the future of our country."

These remarks may cause consternation among some Rada members, especially those who don't share the President's zeal for pro-western reform. The President's pledge to abolish "obsolete Soviet-era repressive rules" is a clear challenge to those lawmakers.  But the Foreign Minister also acknowledged that "there are still a number of Soviet-era laws on our books that hinder our modernisation."