Europe
Ukraine as a member of the EU - realistic or a dream scenario?
by Anastasiia Hrechka
As a child I have been always told that all doors are closed in Ukraine. That in order to succeed I have to leave. That success and opportunities are only available in Europe. This is the kind of mentality I grew up with. That‘s why my mom made the decision for me and immigrated to Germany when I was ten. And I was a part of this decision. She took me with her. Often I ask myself how my life would be if I would stay in Ukraine. How would it be if Ukraine would be a part of the EU? My life would be completely different now. The life of the whole Ukrainian community would change. Because I am not an exception. I am one amongst many.
The question is: Does Ukraine have a realistic “Anatoliy Zlenko, [a Ukrainian politician,] said
chance of claiming membership of the EU? Especially considering that the Ukrainian community sees Europe as an inexhaustible source of wealth and fortune and desperately wish to be a part of it.
that “behind our back, other words were spoken [by EU politicians] – that Ukraine was too big for the EU and that by its dimensions, culture and history, it would not fit into the European Union”. Still, Ukraine is a priority partner for the EU. This is what the eastern partnership document says about their relationship. Through the Association Agreement including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area signed in 2014, Ukraine and the EU are in a special relationship. The bilateral trade grew by more than 50%, Ukrainians can enter 149 countries visa free, 40% of Ukraine’s trade is now with the EU. Generally, a lot of progress was made in the sections of Economy, governance, society and environment and connectivity with the help of the EU. However, this is not enough.
The
EU runs out of tools. Disappointed by Ukraine’s lack of dedication concerning the corruption and oligarchism, the slow transformation of institutions, economy and society and the lack of political solution for the Donbass conflict, the EU Commissioner Günther Verheugen said:
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