The Ukraine government aims at strengthening the ties between the East and the West promote political stability and enhance better foreign relations. A report analyzing of the role of the government and political leaders was submitted to the Minister of Foreign affairs for effective action. Ukraine has failed to deliver according to the expectations of the citizens since there is a complaint and noticed demonstrations from the public. In this paper, I will provide insight to the political and security association of Ukraine to the European Union and give a detailed analysis of the Association Agreement between the both parties.Political and security association of Ukraine to the EU
The famous Karl Marx once said, “major historical events happens twice; the first time ad tragedy, then as farce.” In Ukraine perspective, it is sad to realize that tragedy and farce are inseparable. The statement provides an insight why it will be a blunder to analyze the current wave of mass political protests, activated when the Ukraine government failed to sign an association agreement with the EU in 2004 (Martin, 01). Ukrainians marched in the streets protesting against the move as the country was perceived as an orange republic. The citizens believed that the EU was the solution to the dictatorial government that oppressed the poor and stole the victory in the hotly contested presidential seat. The Ukrainians feared missing out the chance to be part of the EU in the future and they protested to air their grievances on the need of a revolution that will force the government to change its stand and come into agreement with the European Union. In the orange revolution, the citizens learnt that trusting politicians were suicidal. Ironically, there are still citizens who gathered in the Independence square to witness the swearing in of Kyiv, thus allowing the president to exercise effective veto power. Since 2004 to now, it can be said that Ukraine has lost a geopolitical ambiguity status.
Since time immemorial, Ukraine has been viewed as “oversized suitcase” without handles, illustrating that it was hard to make a decision of whether taking it or abandoning it at the station. Assumptions made claims that the country was separated into two, the anti-Russian West and the pro- Russian Eastern, meaning that radical attempts could dismantle the state into two. The country was defined as corrupt, inefficient and messy state with blindfolded and brainwashed political heavyweights. Unsurprisingly, the political leaders have always failed to walk their talk after speaking of words that lack actions.
However, these perceptions changed overnight. Ukraine was ready to sign a political and security association with the EU. The impunity of president Viktor Yanukovych to oppose any effort's to sign the agreement was destined to an end. The status quo was ending as Ukraine aimed at improving their political appeal and strengthening its foreign diplomacy. The country was left with three options: sign an agreement pact with the European Union (a preference to majority citizens), join President Putin EurAsEC (supported by the status quo) or go bankrupt. In his astute observation’s, Ivan Krastev wrote, “Ukraine was no longer a state in the middle,” as the status quo will be done away with (Martin, 01).
During a clear-headed ceremony in Brussels, the interim Prime Minister of Ukraine and the members of the European Union came into a consensus and signed political provisions of the Association Agreement (AA). Though the agreement was just among the bulk of agreements that have not been signed off, it opened an opportunity for the country to transform by starting by commitment to the political and security association with the European Union, a decision that made Kremlin furious. Remarkably, the preamble of the pact stresses that the “independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders” of Ukraine accepts it choices and aspirations and it identifies the “common history and common values with the Member States of the European Union." Ukraine was ready to promote regional and bilateral issues ranking into account, “the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the European Union, including the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP)." (Michael, 25).The potential solutions that come across with the signing of the Association Agreement includes
The objectives to eliminate corruption
The main problems in Ukraine were due to the high corruption levels in politics and its environment. The witnessed corruption scandals fuelled the EuroMaidan anti-government demonstrations. In 2013, the Transparency International report claimed that Ukraine was the leading European corrupt country as it was tanks 144th.The Association Agreement provides insights by coming up with a framework that intends at reduction and elimination of corruption. The fights against corruption will signify positive impacts in the political arena of Ukraine. Explicitly, the AA requires the EU and Ukraine to “ensure the implementation of relevant international standards, in particular those of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and standards equivalent to those adopted by the Union” towards the elimination of corruption in politics and business (Michael, 25).AA promotes human rights, democratic principles, and fundamental freedoms
The government must respect human rights and promote democracy to comply with the agreement. The AA contains principles that guarantee the citizens fundamental freedoms inclusive of “Respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms,” and “respect for the principle of the rule of law.” (Marco, 45). The fundamental freedoms form the foundation of domestic and external policies that will strengthen its foreign policies and thereby respect the AA to the letter.Creation of a structure for constant dialogue
In line with the Association Agreement, Ukraine will have the opportunity to participate in political dialogues in areas of mutual interest, the way that the relationship between the parties will develop a strong bond. A gradual convergence will be necessitated, as Ukraine will be in a position to deal with foreign and security affairs promoting deeper involvement of the EU in Ukraine’s security affairs. The Association Agreement resulted to formulation of the Association Council that advised the both parties on the best ways to apply the Association Agreement. The council was comprised of high-level officials from both parties.The Association Agreement will counter Russian integration efforts
The AA pact is against any attempts of integrating with Russia. In 2003, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Štefan Füle claimed that, “membership in the Russian Customs Union (the precursor to the Eurasian Union) is not compatible with the Association Agreements and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements between the Eastern Partnership countries and the European Union.” (Marco, 36).This meant that Ukraine was autonomous to choose the EU path by implementing the AA pact that opposed efforts to integrate with Russia.The Association Agreement sets the stage for further integration
In a situation where the Ukraine and the European Union approves and implements the AA, opportunities for further integration will always be open. Though this is not clearly defined in the agreement, Ukraine will be allowed to satisfy the outlined Copenhagen criteria that will allow the accession negotiations to build more agreements and deals with the European Union. The process will be lengthy as it will need evidence of long-term commitments from both parties. Ukraine has a chance to either make or break its foreign policies and relations regarding its ability to handle the Association Agreement towards the expectations.Negative attributes of the solution
The association agreement will not fix everything overnight. Ukraine will take years before attaining the political stability and better foreign relations. The state has a devastating economy that places it in a disadvantage towards offering the best to the citizens. The Association Agreement will force the country to rely on of massive foreign aid towards its implementation. Ukraine will be forced to borrow money from the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and the United States. The state is also unstable because of the behavior of the Russian Revolution to annex Crimea. However, politicians may think that the agreement is the end of the process, which in reality signifies a long journey. The pact must be endorsed by the Ukraine’s parliament and the 28 members’ states of the EU. After the endorsement, the process of implementation will kick off. There is also delay signing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement aimed at fostering strong economic integrations between the two parties. Without an agreement on the Free trade agreement, Ukraine will always remain in the dungeons of poverty, unable to improve the living standards of the Ukrainians.Recommended solution
The European Union must first create a politically stable Ukraine and promote its economy. The basis for a prosperous nation is stability and peaceful coexistence. The dirty politics should be shunned through advocating for transparency and accountability in the political system. The EU must stress on the importance of a stable political system that will eliminate the gaps that exist in the country.
The European Union should be obliged to prioritize the domestic politics concerning the energy independence of Ukraine (David, 78). The process will promote the economy of the country and the living standards of the people will improve. The diversification in the energy sector guarantees a faster growth of the economy by exploitation of the natural resources. The exploration of the oil wells in Ukraine showed that it could produce 23% more of gas than Germany and France. The transformation of the energy independence will create an economically stable country in a position to address the needs of the citizens without excessive aid from foreign organizations and donors.
In conclusion, the political and security association of Ukraine to the EU aims at improving the destabilized Ukraine and promote its foreign relations. The commitment of the political leaders will determine the success of the Association Agreement and provide a chance for further integration and signing of other beneficial agreements. In a scenario where the political leadership of Ukraine shows its pledge to the AA, the country will enter into the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements that will transform the economy of Ukraine and promote political stability
Works Cited
Lynch, David A. Trade and Globalization: An Introduction to Regional Trade Agreements. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2010. Print.
Malek, Martin. "The Western Vector of the Foreign and Security Policy of Ukraine." The Journal of Slavic Military Studies (2009): n. pag. Print.
Montanari, Marco. "Knocking on the EU's door: the political economy of EU-Ukraine relations." (2006): Print.
Puzio, Michael A. Integration Through Europeanization: Ukraine's Policy Towards the European Union. Fort Leavenworth, KS: US Army Command and General Staff College, n.d.. Print.
