by Martin Banks
The current crisis of power in Kiev has now triggered demands by many other regions in trouble-torn Ukraine for autonomy and special status. This, it is argued, underlines that Ukraine cannot be regarded a "reliable partner" for the European Union and its ambition of becoming a member state is unrealistic, at least in the near future.
This is the main finding of the European Academy, a leading French NGO. The Academy´s mission is to promote constructive European dialogue with neighbouring non-EU states. It has no vested interest in either side in the Ukraine conflict but, rather merely seeks a united and peaceful Europe. The respected Academy concludes that the ongoing war in Donbass and numerous internal problems "undermine" Ukrainian aspirations to forge closer ties with Brussels.
Under the title, "Crisis of power in Ukraine: Why regions seek autonomy", the Academy convened a special event at Press Club Brussels-Europe on 3 June as part of its own efforts to address its crisis of power in Kiev and find a lasting solution to a war, now into its second year, which has claimed over 6,000 lives.
The briefing, held on the day the European Parliament also held a hearing on the rights of minorities, heard that the "current composition in Ukraine does not work anymore". Ukrainian regions other than Donbass in the east, such as Odessa in the south and Zaporozhye in central Ukraine, are also pressing for special status, or full-blown independence, not least because they are disillusioned with the unfair distribution of revenue raised through taxes. It is for this reason that some Ukrainian regions had refused to provide military or logistical support for Kiev in its ongoing war with separatists in the east of the country.
Ukraine, it is argued, has to resolve "huge" internal problems, establish genuine and lasting peace in Donbass and the rest of Ukraine society, solve all ethnic and inter-regional disputes and introduce "desperately needed" constitutional reforms.
It is also worth recalling the history of Ukraine which was tailored during Soviet time and before it out of different Russian and other regions which previously belonged to Austro-Hungarian Empire and thus inherited very complicated ethnic, cultural and religious problems. These problems became actual during the time of independence after the demise of the Soviet Union.
With Eastern Ukraine still in turmoil, the Brussels briefing was an opportunity, especially for representatives of the Ukraine media and other interested parties, to interact with a panel of international independent observers. They included lawyer and former member of the Bulgarian Parliament Pavel Chernev who highlighted the "desperate plight" of Bulgarians, who constitute the second biggest minority group in the country, especially in Bessarabia. Mr. Chernev cited one of the first laws enacted by the current Kiev government last year which had removed the Bulgarian language from all official documents: "This shows how this administration in Kiev chooses to operate. I am personally very concerned about the rights of Bulgarians in particular in Bessarabia but the government appears to want to deny minorities their rights and shut out all opposition."
Ukrainian public activist Oleksii Tsvetkov, leader of the public movement 'Odessa in favour of Porto-Franko', told the audience how Ukrainian authorities "persecute" members of his organisation which claims more economic rights for this reach region.
French writer Alexander Del Valle believes that the source of the current conflict is "Western interference in Ukrainian affairs". According to his words: "America had invested more than $5 billion into different "colored revolutions", which resulted in huge civilian losses in Ukraine." Jean-Luc Shaffhauzer, a French member of the European Parliament's influential foreign affairs committee, said, "The conclusion is that Ukraine cannot, at present or in the immediate future, be considered a reliable partner for the EU or an appropriate candidate for future EU accession. It has to do an awful lot more in order to enhance its European credentials." Addressing the theme of the meeting, he said, "There are minorities in Ukraine, not just Russian speaking, that do not wish to be governed from Kiev and the Government there must respect this along with their right to special status, including autonomy."
Italian economist and political scientist Andrea Villotti addressed the dire state of the economy in Ukraine and called for a "better balanced" tax policy in Ukraine. He argued that the ongoing economic crisis in Europe had underlined how regional autonomy can potentially improve the economic lives of citizens. In this respect, the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics could benefit from experience gained in the Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano in Italy (South Tyrol) in re-developing their economy.
Italian analyst and political scientist Alessandro Musolino pointed out that Ukraine had again recently voiced interest in EU membership but cautioned, "I would argue that the EU currently can currently have no interest in allowing in a country like Ukraine. Applying for EU membership is not like applying for membership of a golf club.
"For EU membership it is necessary to meet strict criteria and rules, such as a working government and respecting and recognising the rights all minority groups, including local powers. Ukraine desperately needs institutional reform but the Kiev government shows no interest in implementing this." Addressing autonomy issues and the rights of minorities would solve 80 per cent of problems in Ukraine, believes Musolino. Despite his criticisms, he emphasised that "we are here to help Ukraine and find a lasting solution to the conflict."
The Strasbourg-based European Academy was founded in Rome in 1995 by personalities from various countries in Western and Central Europe.The Brussels meeting is the second in a series of international events it is hosting under the banner "Ukraine. Update". The project continues with another press briefing in Brussels later this month and concludes with a round table in Strasbourg on 7 July.
By: N. Peter Kramer
