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Viktor Yanukovych: "Predictability is the main thing in the Ukrainian-Russian relations"
The Ukrainian Prime Minister's interview to the "ITAR-TASS" news agency
25.09.2006, 10:08
They have lately extensively discussed your remarks in Brussels that Ukraine is not ready for joining NATO. After returning to Ukraine, you had a lengthy conversation on this subject with President Yushchenko. Was it a one-on-one conversation, or was it in the presence of aides? How delineation of authority between the President and the Premier is proceeding?
Viktor Yanukovych: Advisors and aides were present at this meeting. It was a discussion, a working conversation. We looked for answers to the position that I expressed. Actually, especially over the past two years, the level of support for Ukraine's Euroatlantic integration substantially dropped. Today one can only argue about percentage of its supporters, say 12% or 25% at most, not more.
Therefore, perhaps it would be incorrect to build policy on the idea which is not supported by the public. I said so in Brussels, and it is my position as a politician. However, the present Ukrainian laws define Euroatlantic integration as Ukraine's policy. But the speed of this process is not determined. It depends on the readiness of the country and the state of society, which determines this speed. It is a short answer.
As for the scope of authority, the present Constitution explicitly reads that the fundamentals of the domestic and foreign policy are formulated by the parliament. In fact, I coordinated the directives, which I took to Brussels, with the parliamentary coalition. So I received its authorization, which was subsequently confirmed by the parliament's resolution. And also the Cabinet adopted a related protocol decision.
Our present dialogue, continuing amid political reform, is generally a normal one, because the Constitutional reform is now imbued with substance, and many points are clarified, for example the NATO, which is presently a very important issue for the Ukrainian people. By the way, our position is normally perceived in Europe and the NATO. They are appropriately informed about political situation in Ukraine. This dialogue, I believe, made us closer to common understanding.
Expectedly Yushchenko will stick to his position, while you will adhere to your platform. How then the State approach to this issue will be determined?
Viktor Yanukovych: I can reiterate that the fundamentals of the domestic and foreign policy are formulated by the parliament.
In connection with this, is a referendum on joining NATO on the agenda? What may be the timing and conditions for holding such a referendum?
Viktor Yanukovych: The referendum can be either held on the popular initiative, or on parliament's initiative. As for the timing of such referendum, time will show, depending on the initiative. If somebody provocatively instigates political passions around this subject, believing that this issue should become a priority of our foreign policy, such referendum can be held pretty soon.
However, we believe that it should be a natural process. Now it is impossible to define the timing of the referendum. If there is an initiative, there will be a referendum. We know that during an election campaign, there was such an initiative, and some political parties collected signatures in its support. Now this process is in the hands of the Central Election Commission (CEC), as these signatures were submitted to the CEC.
As for the timing of the final decision, under the Constitution it is up to the President to make such a decision.
The Government has lately "ejected" seven presidential decrees because of procedural irregularities during their promulgation. In response, "Our Ukraine" faction equated rejection of the presidential bills with a coup. What may be the consequences of such confrontation?
Viktor Yanukovych: Now we should approach it with more calm, without emotions. I reiterate once again: We should fill the Constitutional reform with substance. The related laws have to be adopted, and the system of the State power has to be adjusted to the new Constitution. It is a natural process.
Incidentally, from time to time, we discuss these issues with President Yushchenko, and it does not stir excessive emotions, as there is understanding on both sides. However, there are problems between some officials who are competing for seniority, tugging a tug of war. But law is law, and it is an unavoidable fact. We will comply with the Constitution, and certainly related decisions will be taken in this process.
These seven decrees, how significant, important are they? What are they about? What is their subject?
Viktor Yanukovych: These decrees concern different issues, for example, the procedure of appointments. Some Cabinet's functions were unclearly, vaguely defined in the presidential decree, depriving the Cabinet of the tools for performing its duties. We, the Government, bear responsibility, and we must be able to perform our duties. For instance, a Council was set up in the area of the State investment policy. It is an issue of the State policy, and this procedure should be rather defined by the Cabinet.
When the Cabinet of Ministers is assigned a role of a subordinate official, and the Presidential Secretariat assumes authority to issue instructions to the Cabinet of Ministers, certainly it does not correspond to the Constitution. That is why lawyers are now working on this issue.
Some changes occurred in the Presidential Secretariat. And presently there is quite extensive interaction, which will allow to solve these issues in the nearest time. Now the main thing on this path is to divide authority, and then to create interaction mechanisms. We have to go through this.
Does it mean redivision of authority?
Viktor Yanukovych: Certainly, undoubtedly.
Is your position supported in the parliament?
Viktor Yanukovych: The parliamentary coalition and the Government are one single organism, which enables us to stably implement State programs of different level, including long-term ones.
The main strategy of Ukraine's development will be constantly scrutinized by the public. The Government will issue appropriate reports, and the parliament will provide instruments for implementing these programs by adopting the related laws. Such a harmonious single organism of the State policy and State management has arisen for the first time since independence in the framework of the new State system. It allowed implementation of the Constitutional reform.
What do you think about the prospects of Ukraine's entry to the European Union?
Viktor Yanukovych: During the meetings at the European Commission in Brussels we candidly said: We fully realize that now there is no talking about Ukraine's entry to the European Union. We can only discuss the way that Ukraine should cover. It primarily concerns reform of the economy, infrastructure reforms, political reform, for example, reform of the local self-government. These issues are addressed in the program of Ukraine's strategic development by the year 2011. Ukraine and the Ukrainians have to cover a long way on the integration path.
It is your second tenure of the post of Prime Minister. How difficult is it to enter the same river? Now you have your own traditions in relations with the Russian leadership. At the present stage, these relations have become more difficult or easier? Have they lived up to your expectations? What meetings have you already had in Moscow? What do you plan to discuss today with the Premier Fradkov and leadership of "Gazprom"?
Viktor Yanukovych: Predictability is the main thing in the Ukrainian-Russian relations. We fully realize that Russia has it own national interests. Russia fully understands that Ukraine has it own national interests.
During all our talks, in our discussions we always proceed from these principles, as we defend the interests of our two nations. However, if we cannot reach an outright agreement on some issues, we search for solutions in the package, trying to reach a balance, so to speak.
In foreign policy, trade and economic relations, one cannot uncompromisingly press for the interests of only one side, one entity, one country. Compromises and decisions are always reached when there is a balance. In such cases, there is no talking about one side winning, and another side losing. Economy and common sense should always prevail, and we have learnt how to reach agreements in these relations.
And it is very important to make sure that it is a permanent round-the-clock dialogue. We should always keep in mind that our decisions should not have any negative impact on the work of our enterprises and integration processes, continuing between the two nations. We should rather create appropriate incentives and conditions. So, appropriate related decisions are taken at the inter-governmental level, and I believe that a session of the Putin-Yushchehnko Inter-State Commission will be held in the nearest future.
Is a gas topic of any help for such approach? Or does it only complicate the present situation?
Viktor Yanukovych: Let's not talk about bad things. The story that happened at the beginning of this year, certainly worried not only Ukraine and Russia, but also Europe. We should use our best efforts to prevent it happening again in the future. We know and fully realize that there are certain tendencies in the world economy in the energy sector. And so there is a concrete problem for Ukraine in the gas sector. And it is also a very important issue for Russia.
Therefore, the first steps that we took this year, were aimed at ensuring a normal gas balance, which would allow us to live through the fall and winter, and to reassure Europe.
Now we are daily pumping in the gas storage facilities 120 to 130 million cubic meters of gas, and by October 15 we reliably meet the projected target of laying in 24.7 billion cubic meters of gas in the gas storage facilities.
We have also determined the price: By the end of this year the prices will not change, and later on it will depend on the market situation. Indisputably, it is very important for Ukraine to avoid sharp price fluctuations, because now the Ukrainian economy is export-oriented, as we export over 60% of our produce. As Ukraine is not a WTO member, Ukraine faces certain restrictions in access to the markets of some countries, and different customs rates, which discriminates against our manufacturers, making our produce uncompetitive and inflicting losses on our enterprises.
So, we have to use our best efforts to join the World Trade Organization in the nearest time. By the way, Russia faces the same task. You see, all these issues are interrelated: pricing policy and our policy in the foreign markets.
I think that the gas issue will always remain a sensitive one in the Ukrainian-Russian relations. So, we are looking for the ways for Ukraine's involvement in development of the gas and oil fields, for example, in the Middle Asia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and certainly in Russia. We will continue to work on such issues. We believe that our partners should display understanding, and to create appropriate conditions for us. It is a big drag on Ukraine that now Ukraine does not have significant capabilities for extracting its own gas, for example, in a similar way that other countries and global companies do, for instance, on the Russian territory. We should keep our sights on these prospects, and work on this issue.
Will it require a comprehensive long-term solution between the two countries?
Viktor Yanukovych: Certainly. Only we need food already now, as a saying goes. Therefore, in 2006, we should retain the present stable prices. 2007 should not catch us napping, so that in 2007 we scratch our heads and puzzle what to do. We should do it now in advance, and we should see the price forming mechanism.
Undoubtedly, it was Ukraine's mistake in 2006 that the gas price was detached from the transit fees. And we have to give credit to the Russian experts who took advantage of this. We should not try to take advantage of each other's mistakes. We should rather make a deal, and harmonize transit fees and gas prices. The talks are now revolving around this point. And I think that we will make a deal, as we feel understanding of the Russian side and their political will.
How formation of the Budget by the new Government is proceeding? For example, Tymoshenko openly said that her bloc will pressure Yushchenko to veto the draft Budget.
Viktor Yanukovych: The budgetary process has never been easy. It has always been difficult. The Budget has never satisfied all requirements. Requirements always exceed available means. But the populist policy of Tymoshenko's government produced considerable disproportions in the Budget. They adopted a large number of laws, which were not based on the realistic financial resources. It is a policy of self-deception.
Since independence, the Ukrainian people's trust in power steadily dropped and at some point it reached critical proportions. Now it is our task to restore this trust. Before the parliament endorsed me at the post of Prime Minister, I told the people outside the parliament building: "Cheating you is what you will never see from us". However bitter the truth is, the government should be honest before the people. Our priority in decision-making and in setting priorities will be raising people's living standards, which is possible, however, only in the event of the economic growth. We will work on such growth, and we will pursue appropriate reforms and social policy to raise people's living standards. It is a promise.
As for other things, unfortunately it is a process which makes people acrimonious. But the people will figure out who is who, because people are very smart. People know how to discern populism behind verbiage, eloquence and theatrical gestures.
Every time during elections campaigns in Ukraine, be it presidential or parliamentary elections, the issue of the Russian language comes to the fore. Later on, it again falls into oblivion, and its status remains the same as earlier. For example, now we see that several regions conferred regional status to the Russian language. Can one expect that this time the power will take care of the status of the Russian language?
Viktor Yanukovych: I believe that this time we said the truth. The State policy should not create problems in people's lives, and it is the most essential thing. Now, at the regional level, there are no more incongruities, which earlier existed concerning the use of the State language in Ukraine. There are no more such things in hospitals, colleges, courts, and in record-keeping.
First, we actually see implementation of the European language charter in practice. Second, I think that in the nearest future the parliament will consider the law on languages. As for the issue, which is now raised by the Russian speakers, of making the Russian language the second State language, it can be addressed in two ways: Either it is up to the parliamentary Constitutional majority, when it is formed. Or it is up to the referendum. Time will show.
The main thing is that today there are no related problems in society. We attach a great hope to the law on the local self-government. It also concerns Constitutional amendments which would allow to defuse many regional problems, including the language issues. Ukraine is beautiful in its diversity. It is Ukraine's asset that it has different cultures. For example, I lived in the region with over one hundred languages. And it did not trouble anybody. Every area has its traditions in culture and history. People have come to respect such traditions. There is a popular wisdom: "First learn how to respect the others, and then the others will also respect you." Ukraine is following this path. We do not see any sharpness in this issue.
"ITAR-TASS" | |
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