by Viktor A. Yushchenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine The intensification of the integration processes on our continent entirely coincides with the national interests of Ukraine, a country which is undoubtedly European both geographically and politically. What kind of Europe do we now have, and what should it be in the future? What should the role of Ukrainian society be in the economic, social, and cultural integration of the countries on the European continent? These questions are the subject of research and scientific analysis by the well-known economists whose work is contained in this book. Let there be no doubt, the strategic goal of Ukraine's foreign policy is the active participation of our country in the European integration process. Thus, the move toward co-operation and gradual integration with the European Union was defined as one of the main priorities of the Ukrainian Government's programme "Reforms for Well-being", which is based on President Leonid Kuchma's speech "Ukraine: Steps into XXI century" and was approved by the Ukrainian Parliament. This move is not a hasty response to a new trend, but rather a pragmatic decision since the EU will define the face of Europe for the next century.
Ukraine is without doubt geographically a part of Europe. And yet, the
integration process into international and European structures, which Ukraine
has consistently pursued since its independence in 1991, is not firmly
anchored in the perceptions of either Ukrainians or most international
observers. To many Ukrainians the road to Europe is synonymous with membership
in the EU or at least with a treaty of association. To travel this road,
however, Ukraine will have to first mobilise its economic potential by
accelerating and intensifying the process of transformation and by opening
its economy. In this volume the authors - German advisors to the Ukrainian
Government, researchers and politicians from neighbouring countries and
representatives of European institutions - provide proposals for the reform
of the Ukrainian economy that will help it move closer to Europe. Europe
is many things - certainly more than the EU, and certainly Ukraine is part
of it.
