Pavlo Klimkin: Ukraine today is the last enthusiast of the European integration

“Ukraine today is the last enthusiast of the European integration,” – stated Pavlo Klimkin, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, during the 9th Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.
“Today Ukraine is in a rather difficult situation: on the one hand, it is the last enthusiast of the EU integration, on the other - we need to fight against Russian aggression, as well as to provide radical changes in the country, particularly with respect to their pace and depth. Despite these difficult conditions, we have that energy and inspiration which help us to move forward and which, in particular, could be used by the EU for its purposes,” – said the Ukrainian Foreign Minister.

Regarding the situation in the EU the Ukrainian minister points out two relevant internal and external threats: “The internal deals with whether the EU citizens have today a clear understanding of the organization and its prospects for the future. So far as the parade of referendums that we may see at present provides enough warning signs in this regard. External threats are certainly security issues, including those related to illegal migration from the Middle East. These threats form one difference that distinguishes the current situation in the EU from the previous one. In particular, things happening in the EU represent a real threat to its existence and bring uncertainty in its future and the future of its citizens”.

Also, Ukrainian Minister touched on the issue of the possibility of the resumption of the EU-Russia relations and the necessity of taking into account the interests of Ukraine.
“The EU is full of talks of new geopolitical realities and, bearing them in mind, the need to develop a new format of relations with Russia. However, it is very important to understand that this issue is not only of the geopolitical realm. Today, the issue is more ideological. It is not just about geographical boundaries, but people – the Ukrainian people in our case. Today there is a big mental difference between Russia and Ukraine. So if we go only for geopolitical reasons, leaving questions of ideology afield, we will not be able to find a solution of that complex situation that has developed in Ukraine", - said Pavlo Klimkin.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

The annual international event Kyiv Security Forum launched by Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine in 2007 is a platform for debate on the most pressing security issues in Europe and the Black Sea Region.

Internet broadcast of the Forum:

9th Kyiv Security Forum (Ukrainian):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4bx8DXN4wk

9th KYIV SECURITY FORUM (ENGLISH)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEG5fdmhG2g