National Taras Shevchenko University
Kyiv, 11 November 2005

Distinguished Professors,
Dear students,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. Introduction

I like to open my speeches telling audiences why I decided to be with them and why participating to their event is important to me.

As I was preparing for this occasion, I looked for the words that would express the very special feeling I would feel today—but none was good enough.

This is probably because it is very easy for me to empathise with you. I was born and spent most of my life in Eastern part of Slovakia, not far from Slovak-Ukrainian borders. Among my colleagues at the European Commission in Brussels I must be the one who was has his roots closest to Kyiv.

Not a long time ago, my home country, Slovakia, was in many respects in similar position as Ukraine today. We had just experienced Velvet revolution, started political and economic transformation of the society and, moreover, established our own statehood. Transition from the so-called Eastern bloc country to the country which is now member of the European union is still vivid

in my memory, and I have devoted these years of my life to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities that the transition inevitably carries with it.

So—ladies and Gentlemen, dear students—I am really happy and honoured to be with you today. And today these words come from a special spot in my heart. <The speech should be read in Ukrainian until this point>

2. EU–Ukraine relations

The relations between the EU and Ukraine have developed substantially since 1991. Although we are talking about the very recent past, we can already look at things in historical perspective.

I would say that the relations between the EU and Ukraine went through three broad stages.

In the first stage, the EU provided assistance for Ukraine’s political and economic reforms. Between 1991 and 2004 this amounted to over 2 billion Euros—to which Member States’ bilateral assistance should be added.

The second step was the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement of 1998. In particular, this meant regular political dialogue and expanded cooperation in many sectors, including education and culture.

The third stage was the European Neighbourhood Policy launched last year. In short, your country could count on the tangible support of the EU since independence. After a period marked by rather short and uncertain steps, your country’s recent and new commitment to democracy and reforms has set the stage for a big leap.

Things are moving fast since the Orange Revolution. Last February the EU–Ukraine Action Plan was adopted and later extended with a range of additional measures. After 9 months, the first results are encouraging in a number of fields.

In hindsight, I am not surprised at how things turned out: it has always been only a matter of time before Ukraine began to realise its potential. Ukraine can count on the European Union as reliable partner. The EU acknowledges Ukraine’s European aspirations and welcomes its European choice.

As I said, it is easy for me to relate to these steps and leaps. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to predict that your country has started out on what will probably be a long and difficult road of reform. I encourage you not to lose heart along the way. What counts is that the path is traced. Other countries have gone through the process before you. None of them found it simple. But all of them faced the challenge with determination. All of them are better off now, and would not dream of returning to their point of departure.

Action Plan

Last year enlargement of the European Union, Enlargement 2004, was historical milestone in the development of our continent. It marked the end of artificial division of the Europe. It has also brought European Union to the doors of Ukraine. Ukraine has now 3 neighbours that are members of the Union – Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

As enlargement materialized, it was important to give new perspectives also for the countries which became new neighbours of the Union. European values do not stop on the borders; they are attractive also for countries outside the EU.

This is why, in order to promote these values and standards, the EU has adopted new European Neighourhood Policy.

Many of you have already heard about the Action Plan which is and instrument of our Neighbourhood Policy for each country. The Action Plan between Ukraine and the EU—among other things—includes references to:

reform and upgrade of educational and training systems to drive them closer to the standards and practices in the EU;

co–operation in the domains of education, training, in our cultural programmes and in our youth policies.

In general, these points exemplify the Action Plan’s stress on people–to–people contacts, which are an essential ingredient of our dialogue.

Involving the people directly is the best guarantee of the lasting success of international agreements and policy developments in any domain.

3. Education and Youth

Things are moving fast in my domains of education, training and culture, as well. For instance, Ukraine already ranks third in terms of students participating in the Erasmus Mundus Programme (27 in 2005). Aim of the programme is to give best student opportunity to study and get their Master degrees in the best of EU universities.

This is a resounding success which confirms that young and educated Ukranians were just waiting for the right opportunity to embrace Europe.

But Erasmus Mundus is not the only programme which involves your country. The well-established Tempus programme has facilitated exchange and cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union for many years. In effect, the policies under my responsibility have traditionally been employed to give a first taste of what it means to operate in a united Europe.

Let us see some of the things the European Commission can do in the education and youth field:

exchanges of students and scholars;

academic co–operation;

mobility of young people and NGO’s for non–formal education projects.

What do these actions have in common? They all build trust and mutual understanding where it matters most; that is, among the people.

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Academic co–operation and exchanges have a long tradition of success among EU policies. We support your country’s efforts in this direction and welcome your recent signature of the Bologna Declaration.

Bologna process, now embracing 45 European countries, aims to reduce barriers for academic cooperation in Europe. The idea is to give students and scholars more opportunities to study or teach in other European countries.

This, however, implies a certain degree of compatibility among higher–education systems. I commend the measures taken by your authorities to reform the structure of Ukraine’s educational systems.

I encourage you to bring the reform process forward and I can pledge the support of the European Commission to assist you in this work. The Commission will continue to focus principally on higher education, with greater emphasis on student mobility.

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Beside academic and educational cooperation, the European Commission also supports partnerships among young people from the European Union and its Neighbouring Countries.

A number of youth NGOs and young people from Ukraine are already participating in the programme—called YOUTH. I encourage your national authorities to support youth exchange projects.

Programmes like these promote the values of intercultural dialogue, tolerance. I don’t need to remind you that we, at the European Commission, regard these values as the pillars of stability within the Union and as the basis of our relations with our neighbouring countries.

Again, youth exchange projects have a potential to draw Ukrainian young people closer to the Union.

4. Promoting reforms in Ukraine

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ukraine will soon mark first anniversary of its Orange Revolution. The movement has created a unique opportunity for Ukraine to realise its aspirations.

The European Union played an active role in the events last November. We were involved, because it was our duty to stand behind the people who were fighting for the values which are identical to the values of the Union itself.

Expectations are now high both within your country and among your friends abroad. This gives Ukrainian leaders an exciting and difficult job: showing that the country can progress along the path opened by the Revolution.

Let me focus on four challenges for the months and years ahead.

First, recent events in Ukraine highlight the importance of transparent relations and clear separation between business and politics. The fight against corruption remains a major challenge. I am sure that the government is aware of the need of energetic and credible measures underpinning the policy of reforms.

Second, administrative reform. Reforming the administration of a country of 50 million inhabitants is a huge task. But it must be undertaken in order to cement the success of the Revolution. With that great objective in mind, Ukraine should see the magnitude of the task as an encouragement rather than a discouragement for reforms.

Third, the rule of law. Democracy needs a fully functioning legal system to work. Judges must be appointed in a transparent way; laws must be enforced, not just passed; the police must operate under clear internal rules and controls.

The business environment should be regulated by clear and reliable rules, not by arbitrary decisions. This is important for all economic actors: domestic and foreign investors, workers, consumers, and ordinary citizens.

In Ukraine as elsewhere, the rule of law is crucial for economic growth, social development, and for a genuine popular participation in political and civic life.

Fourth, democratic participation. Ukrainians fought hard to make their voices heard. Now, the will of the people must find expression in transparent democratic processes.

The parliamentary elections of March next year will be a litmus test. Once again, the eyes of the world will be on Kyiv. Fair and peaceful elections will prove that Ukraine is keeping the commitments it took with the EU and other international bodies, such as the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The items I have touched upon contain a lesson: as Ukraine makes genuine progress in its plan of reforms, relations between the EU and Ukraine will become deeper and stronger. I can confirm that with the experience of my home country.

Firm pursue of values on which the European is based – adherence to democratic principles in political life, rule of law, respect for human rights – was essential on its way to the European union.

I encourage you to nurture the spirit you showed to the world starting last November. I address this appeal to all—citizens and leaders alike—but especially to young people.

Your country is taking a historic turn: this is the perfect time for hope, courage, and imagination. It is perfect time to fulfil dreams of great Ukrainian poet, artist and humanist Taras Shevchenko who gave his name also to this University – dreams about freedom and respect for human dignity.

I can see these sentiments in the eyes of the many students in this hall. My message to you is that Ukraine’s destiny belongs as much to you as it belongs to your leaders engaged in important negotiations and decisions.

Your generation has a rare privilege: you are holding your future in your hands.

You can make it happen. If you do, the Orange revolution will be remembered as a milestone not only for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe.

Thank you.