Interfax: Former Deputy PM Arbuzov: Ukrainians misled about European integration
ST. PETERSBURG. Nov 13 (Interfax) – The Ukrainian authorities are adamant to integrate with the European Union at any cost and do not wish to think about possible consequences, according to former Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov.
“Western regions have always adhered to European integration because they are attracted to EU member countries culturally and economically. It is a fact and it really makes sense. But many people in Ukraine have become focused on this idea without trying to understand the technicalities of swift transformations. Alas, a result is the country’s division into two parts,” Arbuzov said at a conference in St. Petersburg on Thursday.
In his opinion, the Ukrainian government should have gone through the Association Agreement with the EU in detail and told citizens about every possible implication.
“The analysis of this issue should have been much more profound. The historic decision regarding European integration could have unbalanced results. It was our task to look into this matter but as always we were short of time and failed to give appropriate explanations to the people. So, we are unfortunately dealing with frustrated expectations of Ukrainian citizens. I think they will remain deceived,” Arbuzov emphasized.
The European integration will not bring the desired results either for Europe or for Russia or for Ukraine without tripartite negotiations, the former interim prime minister said.
“Even after the [European integration] course was definitely chosen, the economic situation in the country did not improve and the balance of trade deteriorated. Industrial production plummeted in Ukraine. Most important sectors of the Ukrainian economy – machine building, car building and chemical industry – are suffering most,” he said.
“The latest political transformations demonstrate that the Ukrainian administration intends to achieve the European integration at any cost. Unfortunately, they have no time to think about the consequences,” Arbuzov remarked.
According to Arbuzov, the main reasons for Ukraine being behind its neighbors in terms of the economy is the unstable political system, the domestic imbalance and the country’s division into the east and the west.
Arbuzov was a member of the Cabinet of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and became an interim prime minister in February after Azarov had resigned.