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Viktor Yanukovych: "Our Government will be a reliable partner in relations with the European institutions and the European Union"
20.09.2006, 09:31
The Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych gave an interview to the European media: the "BBC", "The Financial Times", "Die Welt" and "France-Presse".
During the conversation, the reporters took turns putting often complementary questions to Mr. Yanukovych, which made it a common interview for these media.
The Ukrainian Premier touched on the issues of the foreign and domestic policy, and relations with President Viktor Yushchenko.
They expect from your visit to Brussels next Thursday a shift of accents in assessment of Ukraine's Euroatlantic prospects. Especially in view of President Viktor Yushchenko's discontent that he voiced at the end of last week after his meeting with you. Should they expect any changes in your declarations?
Viktor Yanukovych: No. I believe that it will not happen. As during my first visit I emphasized that we must be consistent. Relations that we, including my political party, have been developing, have always been consistent, and we have always been predictable in these relations. It is very important. So, my Government will be a reliable, predictable partner in our relations with the European institutions and the European Union. That is our principle. The European Union is a priority of our foreign policy.
And a proposal to prepare a broader agreement, which was made during the last week's meetings, is being discussed now. And I plan to discuss it next Thursday also with the Chairman of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barrozo.
As for NATO, during the previous visit to Brussels we placed all appropriate accents on all points. And they are all realistic, which is also a matter of principle for me, and the President as well. They correspond to realities in Ukraine, and need not be shifted.
After his meeting with you, President Yushchenko voiced concern over the actions of the Government and Prime Minister, including the position regarding the issue of NATO. What is your view of the President's concern?
Viktor Yanukovych: I would put in the following way: President Yushchenko's desires sometimes exceed his capabilities. It is the first time that I say that. I do not see anything bad in that. However, it is the fact.
So, first we have to go along the appropriate path in order to achieve a certain goal. The result will depend on how we cover this way. It also relates to the European integration, when we say that we should abandon Euro-romanticism and become Euro-pragmatists. We should not irritate our partners in the European Union by trying to shift Ukraine's problems onto the shoulders of our partners. They have to be solved here, instead of just talking a lot.
It is not just a coincidence that the level of support in Ukraine for integration into NATO has dropped over the past years. One should answer a question: Was it a successful policy or not? And to be honest, it was not a successful policy. Here is an example for you. If you start serving unacceptable food to the Ukrainian people now, would it do any good? How can you force somebody to eat what he does not want to eat? First you have to flavor food with spice, so that you like it, so that situation does not appear humiliating, and you have appetite, so to speak. That is what we, politicians, have to do now, rather than moving in the way which is unacceptable for the public. It is tactics. And I am confident that we should proceed in such a way.
Who has the upper hand in determining the fundamentals of the foreign policy? Who has the decisive say – the President or the Prime Minister? Viktor Yushchenko insists that it is his prerogative.
Viktor Yanukovych: Certainly politicians, both the President and Prime Minister, should undertake responsibility, and declare their position. I have declared my position. It is a position, is not it? And I say so openly.
However, the Defence Minister stated that he will act in accordance with the President's course towards NATO, and implement reforms in the army according to NATO standards. Will you try to stop him?
Viktor Yanukovych: You see, it is not the case. Officials will comply 100% with all decisions of the Government and Verkhovna Rada. Compliance discipline will be mandatory, strict, and a matter of principle, as I bear responsibility for that. It will not be the case that some decisions could be disobeyed.
Right after your talks in Brussels you travel to Moscow for the talks with the Head of the Russian Government and the leadership of "Gazprom". What is the main reason why your Government has not yet reached an agreement on the gas price for Ukraine?
Viktor Yanukovych: As I said earlier, the main problem is that now Ukraine is not yet ready to switch 100% to the current European prices. As Ukraine faces totally different prices for its goods in Europe than the European manufacturers. Ukraine pays customs duties for many commodity groups. That is discrimination against the Ukrainian manufacturers. That is a problem we have to solve.
Now we are looking for the ways to pull out of this difficult situation. Today I had a telephone conversation with the leadership of "Gazprom". This year's situation is also complicated by the fact that from September 26 all Turkmenistan's gas will go through Russia.
Tell me, what good will it do to speak of numbers, dreams? You know I am a practical man. This year I will mark 30 years at the managerial posts, and I know what it means to go on record. My opponents sometimes criticize me because I am not like them. They are used to talking a lot without bearing responsibility. I solve problems as a manager. That is a difference.
When, in your mind, the new format of the coalition could be formed, and could it include "Our Ukraine"?
Viktor Yanukovych: I believe that a full stop should be put to that issue in the nearest time, as the following question is now on the agenda: How is the Government supposed to work, when "Our Ukraine" is de-facto in the Government, but de jure this issue is not reflected in the agreement?
For example, today an issue concerning the emergency situations ministers is being discussed. Earlier Our Ukraine's representative held this post. However, my preliminary discussions with the Anti-crisis Coalition revealed their negative attitude (BBC's note: i.e. to leaving this post for Our Ukraine's quota). So, now I am in a difficult situation. Certainly I had a personal agreement with President Yushchenko about appointment of these ministers to the Cabinet of Ministers. However, earlier we also agreed that, if we do not sign an agreement before formation of the Government, we will do it later. But when?
Now we see that this situation is exploited by some politicians, who seek divergence, rather than building relations on the unifying points. When our future partners make critical, offensive remarks about the Anti-crisis Coalition, it is hardly creating promising prospects.
Now once again political will is required both on the part of the President and Prime Minister, and also four related political groups. And a decision should be made in the nearest time, whether we go together, or part our ways. We are prepared to go together, and I have repeatedly said so. Right after elections we proposed to create a coalition of the Party of Regions and "Our Ukraine". And we have not changed our position.
How would you evaluate your relations, as the Prime Minister, with the Ukrainian President? As he has criticized you a lot.
Viktor Yanukovych: The constitutional reform is underway. It is being imbued with real substance. Reapportioning of authority in favor of the Government is underway. And it is an issue which has to be addressed by both sides, the President and the Head of Government. How to create a viable mechanism of cooperation between the Government and Parliament, the Government and President? Admittedly it is a painful process, and we should display tolerance and responsibility. There are many things which should not be said publicly, as they should rather remain unsaid between us, because it is a process, a working process.
President Yushchenko's portrait in your office was put up by you, or is it legacy from your predecessors?
Viktor Yanukovych: I put it up at this spot, as you see (BBC's note: opposite an entrance door). It used to be at the less noticeable place, obscured by flowers, barely visible. Now everybody entering the office sees the portrait of the Head of State.
And whose portrait is in the President's office?
Viktor Yanukovych: You know, by the way, I have not been to the President's office a single time. Yet.
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