Serhiy Ustych, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine in the Czech Republic

* * *

When early in 1993-following the velvet division of Czechoslovakia-Ukraine established diplomatic relations with the new Czech Republic; these relations were not started from scratch. Ukrainian-Czech relations had deep roots and strong traditions that helped to actively develop relations in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding.

Chronicles contain many episodes of the Ukrainian-Czech contacts in olden times. They testify that our people were always seeking ways to each other. For example, Kyiv Prince Volodymyr the Great married a Czech bride, and Kunguta Rostislavna became the wife of Czech King Otokar II from the Premislovci Dynasty. The defeat of Czechs at the Bila Mountain (1620) led to considerable emigration from Czech territory to Ukraine. Pylyp Orlyk was one of the first Czechs printed on the memory of Ukrainians becoming a hetman and author of the first Ukrainian Constitution.

The national revival of Slavic people (late

стр. 39

18 c to the second half of the 19 c) became a new stage in the history of Ukrainian- Czech relations. The leading Czech cultural workers of the time showed great interest in traditions, folklore, literature, life of Ukrainian people. Even those Ukrainian readers, who know nothing about Czech history, could read in Taras Shevchenko's works about such literati as P. SafaYik, V. Hanka. M. Shashkevych, I. Vahylevych, Y. Holovatskyi were also active propagandists of the best achievements of Czech culture in Ukraine. The 1848 Slavic Congress in Prague was the first international forum to discuss Ukrainian question. The Ukrainian theme became a hit with the most known Czech writers. Suffice it to remember the drama Mazepa by J. V. Fric, the novel Martin Pushkar by V. Benes-Trebizky, poetry by K. Havlicek-Borovsky etc. The Taras Shevchenko's long poem Heretic dedicated to J. Hus is the prominent monument to Czech theme in Ukrainian literature of the 19th c. The first uncensored Kobzar was published in Prague in 1876. On the wall of the former printing-house there is a memorial table now.

Our scientific and pedagogical contacts started in the late 19th and early 20th c. There are such luminaries in Czech history as I. Puliuy, physicist and electrical engineer, professor of the Prague Charles University, and I. Horbachevsky, rector of the same educational institution, which later headed the Ukrainian Free University in Prague, one of many higher educational institutions, founded between the wars in Czechoslovakia with an active backing of the government, first of all by President T. Masarik.

In 1918, following the disintegration of Austria-Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Western Ukrainian Peoples Republic were proclaimed. The government of Czechoslovakia was among the first to acknowledge the new state and establish diplomatic relations with it. The first Ukrainian legation in Prague was headed by S. Smal-Stotsky and Y. Levytsky. Czech diplomats also resided on the territory of the WUPR.

The period between two world wars literally turned for Ukrainians in Czechoslovakia into bright revival of national culture. Tens of thousand of our compatriots, which had been forced to leave Ukraine after Bolshevik usurpation, took advantage of hospitality of Czechoslovakian government; here they obtained all possibilities for their national realization. In Czechoslovakia of the time there were Ukrainian newspapers, magazines, publishing houses, high schools, academies, museums, societies etc. V. Kasiyan studied in Prague under the prominent Czech artist M. Svabinsky; here lived poets O. Oles, Y. Malaniuk, O. Olzhych to name a few.

Unfortunately, after the WWII the bulk of works of Ukrainians in Czechoslovakia of the 20s and 30s was lost. Under threat of repressions from the side of local communist power and Soviet Union quite a bit of Ukrainian intelligentsia were forced to emigrate farther westward, and those, who remained in Czechoslovakia, could not freely declare their Ukrainian identity.

However, close historical links of Ukrainian and Czech people allowed Ukraine and Czechoslovakia, and then the Czech Republic, to maintain fruitful dialog and close cooperation in a new stage of their development.

стр. 40

From 1993 the newest history of Ukrainian-Czech relations are characterized by dynamic development of cooperation in political, economic and cultural spheres, active forming of the proper legal basis, and development of informal personal contacts. Once and again the Czech Republic helped our country to reach many foreign-policy and domestic economy goals. In particular, Ukraine became a member of the Council of Europe during the chairmanship of Czech Republic in 1995, and due to its backing as well.

Recently the partner potential of Czechia has increased very much. It is a result of political, economic and social reforms allowing to proceed from transformation to stable democracy, which substantial strengthened international authority of this country.

Having signed the Agreement about integration into the EU Czechia stepped over the threshold. Now this country-as a permanent observer in the EU working and ruling organs-can perceptibly influence the formation of European policy. An active participant of European discussion within the framework of Intergovernmental Conference on the new Constitutional agreement, Czechia together with other commensurate countries strives to guarantee its plenary powers in the expanded EU. It cannot be doubted that this country has a rich experience in the field of making of the democratic jural society and market economy, adaptation of political, legal and economic life to European standards and therefore will be a leader in practical aspects of the "eastern vector" of common foreign and security policy of the European Union, including the issue of Ukraine.

This past November Czechia successfully conducted the meeting of the heads of states and governments of NATO countries. The Prague summit became a landmark in the history of NATO, initiating necessary transformations. During the trial period when the EuroAtlantic partnership decided pro and contra of military intervention in Iraq, the Czech Republic proved to be a consequent, predictable and reliable ally backing the role of NATO as the key factor of transatlantic cooperation in the field of security. It is worth reminding that the Czech Conception of Foreign Policy for 2003- 2006 backs the Czech support of wider cooperation between NATO and Ukraine.

Czechia is the initiator and influential member of Visegrad Four which played an important role in preparation of the countries of this informal association for their synchronous entry into the EU without regard to the different starting terms. One can expect that V4 in the EU will stand for cooperation in Eurointegration issues with countries to the east, including Ukraine. We hope, that relations between V4 and Ukraine will be properly represented in a new conception of activity of the V4 following the expansion of the EU, which should be prepared by May next year under chairmanship of Czechia.

Finally, the Czech economy can offer considerable possibilities for mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation and stepping into the markets of third countries. Since 1999 this country has a steady 2.4-2.6 percent of GDP growth and a high level of openness of economy (specific weight of export in the GDP structure makes almost 60 percent); therefore Czechia's economy will be rather competitive in the EU. Its

стр. 41

next step on the way to effective economy will include financial reform with serious changes of the tax, social and pension systems, cut of military spending, and reduction of administration upkeep. The reform bill has recently passed its second reading. In its turn, the Czech Republic is interested to improve mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation with Ukraine in which she sees a perspective, and, first of all, good partner for many local businessmen.

It is only a small part of the perspective list of the spheres of cooperation between Ukraine and Czechia. Nonetheless we can say that comprehensive relations with the Czech Republic is an important constituent of the foreign policy of Ukraine, above all things within the framework of eurointegration, EuroAtlantic and regional policy. Let us have a closer look at it now.

Bilateral cooperation in politics and cooperation on the international scene

Following the exchange of official visits of the presidents of Ukraine and Czechia in 1995 and 1997 the top level political contacts between two countries stagnated. It was explained by subjective and objective reasons on both sides. Those are logical priorities during integration into the EU and NATO.

These past years, however, demonstrated that both states were interested to develop active intergovernmental dialog at all levels and strived to improve contacts. With the approaching date of the integration into the EU the Czech Republic had to formulate its interests in Eastern Europe, in particular in its relation to Ukraine. On the other hand, Ukraine realized the importance of relations with the CEE countries not only from the point of view of bilateral but also eurointegration policy. The Ukrainian- Czech relations got a new impulse during the official visit of former foreign minister A. Zlenko on April 23-24, 2003. During the meeting both sides achieved mutual understanding about the majority of bilateral and international issues improving the outlook for cooperation. It became a new stage in bilateral relations taking into account the new international realities and the nearby integration of Czechia into the EU and its NATO membership.

A month later in Salzburg during the informal summit of the presidents of the CE countries President of Ukraine L. Kuchma met V. Klaus, the newly elected President of the Czech Republic. During the V4 meeting of leaders of governments in Slovakia the bilateral meeting of Prime Ministers of Ukraine and Czechia V. Yanukovych and V. Spidla took place on June, 25. Activation of contacts at the interdepartmental level kept on with positive trends in the Ukrainian-Czech relations. So, S. Ryzhuk, Minister of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine, and M. Lytvyn, Head of the Derzhkomkordon visited the Czech Republic last year. There was also a number of working consultations at the interdepartmental level and a bilateral "round table" on the questions of migration attended by the representatives of the Administration of the President, MFA, MIA, Derzhkomnatsmigratsii, Derzhkomkordon of Ukraine etc.

In the nearest future they will proceed with the top-level dialog. As it was

стр. 42

agreed upon by two presidents in Salzburg, in 2004 President of the Czech Republic V. Klaus would arrive in Ukraine for an official visit. There are also impending visits to Czechia of Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine V. Lytvyn and Secretary of Defense of Ukraine Y. Marchuk. The Premier V. Spidla's visit to Ukraine is being planned now.

The legal base of bilateral relations has been improved to include over 70 interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements and protocols already. The instruments of ratification of the important intergovernmental Agreement about public welfare were exchanged, and the Administrative agreement concerning the said document was signed. The latter will provide for the social security of the citizens of Ukraine working or living in the Czech Republic. The intergovernmental agreement about protection of sensitive information was signed opening the way to closer cooperation of two countries, in particular in military and technological spheres.

All of it is only an outward appearance of expanding bilateral relations. However, impressions of our diplomats from daily contacts with Czech politicians, businesspersons, researchers, journalists and men from the street are no less important. We mostly feel here sincere interest to Ukraine and desire to develop all kinds of relations. There are also common European, EuroAtlantic and regional objectives, as well as common interests concerning international actualities.

Having considerable influence at the UNO (in 2002-2003 J. Kavan from Czechia presided over the session of the UN General Assembly), Czechia is the important partner of Ukraine from point of view of strengthening its positions in this global organization. In recent years both countries have been actively cooperating while backing each other during elections to the UNO structures. In particular, Czechia has recently backed the candidature of Ukraine in elections to the complement UN Commission for drugs control, UNESCO Executive Council, and UN Economic and Social Council.

Czechia is a NATO member and traditionally maintains close relations in the military- political sphere with Ukraine; therefore it is an important factor concerning Ukrainian EuroAtlantic integration efforts. Prague on the whole supports Ukraine's intention to obtain membership in NATO and is ready to back it. Taking into account the closeness of positions of two countries on the major issues of world policy, areas of conflicts included, there is a good perspective of co-operation in peacemaking operations. By the way both countries sent their military units to Iraq in the framework of multinational stabilization forces.

During the Prague summit of NATO Czechia demonstrated its desire to develop partnership with Ukraine and interest in deepening relations of Ukraine with NATO.

It is expedient to separately mention the cooperation of two countries in the Eurointegration questions. The embassy concentrates on such tasks, as providing more active support by the Czech side of Ukrainian aspirations to acquire the associated status in the EU, and generalization and assistance in distribution at home of Czech experience of preparation for joining the EU.

стр. 43

The Czech Republic has repeatedly expressed its support for Eurointegration aspirations of Ukraine, underlying its position that the EU should be opened for all European states if the organization of their political and economic life meets certain criteria. This was confirmed by President V. Klaus and Minister for Foreign Affairs C. Svoboda.

At the end of 2002 the independent Czech analysts prepared the document "Elements of strategy of the EU in relation to Ukraine: Czech opinion". This is not an official document; however, it shows the stand of leading Czech analysts concerning the prospects of Eurointegration of Ukraine. Taking it into account, one can expect that after its entry into the EU Czechia will belong to that group of members, which actively support Eurointegration of Ukraine. There are all grounds to hope, that Czechia, as well as other new members of the EU, will refresh the discussion on the new conception of further development of relations of the EU with Ukraine.

Finally, there is one more aspect. It is only natural, that the Czech representatives express their willingness to pass over to the Ukrainian side its experience of participation in the common foreign and security policy of the EU, institutional support of European integration, adoption of national legislation to the legal norms of the EC and practical application of these norms in political, economic and social life, organization of negotiation with the EU, effective use of proper programs and funds of the EU, introduction of eurointegration training for the public employees and local self-government etc. An embassy tries to be instrumental transferring mutual interest in cooperation into concrete projects.

From the point of view of adoption of the Eurointegration experience of the CE states Ukraine examines the possibility of activation of cooperation with the V4. Among the countries-participants of this group (Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary) only the Czech Republic does not border on Ukraine. To some extent it reduces its interest in participation in the transboundary cooperation with Ukraine within the framework of V4. At the same time Czechia is positive about deepening cooperation with Ukraine in the Eurointegration sphere. As we have already mentioned, up to July this year the Czech Republic will preside in the V4. Last year during the V4 summit in the Slovak city of Tale, with the Ukrainian Premiere V. Yanukovych as a guest, the leaders of the group backed the idea of conducting regular meetings in the format V4+Ukraine. This position was supported by the Czech Premiere V. Spidla, which underlined the necessity to actives cooperation at the expert level.

These suggestions were implemented during the next V4 meeting in the Czech town Dobris this past October. The adopted Czech Program included a number of points dealing with the planned cooperation with Ukraine. The priorities comprised migration and refuge issues. However, we would also like to add the development of working contacts Kyiv-Brussels concerning justice and internal affairs.

On the whole, it should be noted, that the Czech Republic today is playing a key role in the CE processes and that the development of relations with it influence the more active participation of Ukraine in regional multilateral cooperation.

стр. 44

Trade and economic cooperation

The commodity turnover of Czechia and Ukraine is second best among the countries of CIS and Baltics (after the RF) and nineteenth among other countries with which Czech Republic has trade and economic relations. In its turn, comparatively small Czech is the eighteenth in the list of trade partners of Ukraine.

Our states have traditionally close trade relations founded long before the FSU collapse; therefore mutual interest in cooperation backed by modern economic trends helped to increase bilateral commodities turnover after 1993. There was only a drop in 1999 (69% against the level of 1998) caused by global downturn in 1998.

The development of Ukrainian and Czech economies, creations of necessary prerequisites for dynamic development of Ukrainian-Czech trade made it possible to maximize bilateral commodities turnover which reached $498.5m. For the first eight months last year this index made $360.5m.

Certainly, it isn't the limit, because the potential of Ukrainian-Czech trade and economic cooperation is much higher. We are working to boost it now. One way is to precede from simple barter schemes to deeper forms of cooperation, such as investment, industrial cooperation, introduction of state-of-the-art know-how. Over 25 joint projects are being developed now. They include such major projects as supply of airplanes An-70 to Czech Armed Forces for $300m, cooperation in rape growing and processing in Ukraine with subsequent production of biofuel. Besides, there are joint projects of modernization of Ukrainian nuclear stations and objects of heat-and-power engineering, in transport machine-building etc. Czech participation in exploitation of the oil pipeline "Odesa-Brody" is very promising. Production of Czech Skoda cars at the Eurocar Plant in Transcarpathians is an example of successful cooperation of Ukrainian and Czech partners.

The Poltava and Kryvy Rih benefication integral works, Illich metallurgical works (Mariupol), Azovstal, Zaporizhstal, Alchevsky, Interpipe Co., chemical Styrol and Rivneazot public corporations, RhyvorizhNDIbudmash, UkrgrafitPVP, Dniproshyna JSC are major exporters to Czechia. The Aerosvit is a success in the market for air transport.

Both countries have in reserve bilateral investment cooperation. By now Czech entrepreneurs have invested $40.7m (0.7% of total direct foreign investments in our economy) in 296 Ukrainian enterprises. Czechia is 22nd on the list of 109 countries- investors which is below its potential.

The Ukrainian-Czech Protocol about the access to the market of goods and services signed last year made an important stage both in bilateral trade and economic relations and within the framework of joining WTO.

Nonetheless, there are problems in Ukrainian-Czech trade and economic relations. As of May 1, 2004 Czechia has become the EU member which entails a strict system of limitations that presently the EU applies to certain types of Ukrainian metallurgical and chemical products. Czechia introduced import quotas for Ukrainian hot-rolled stock and additional import tax for ammonium nitrate. However,

стр. 45

as of May this year rules for Ukrainian import become even stricter. We conduct active consultations with the Czech side on possible alleviation of negative consequences in bilateral trade, although we understand that so far Prague has little influence on decisions made in Brussels. Ukrainian-Czech trading in metal products should be discussed with the Eurocommission in the first place which quantifies these products in trading with the EU. Especially since such approach is supported by the Czech side.

There is another longstanding problem: Ukrainian debt to the Czech Republic under the so called Yamburg Agreements. It arose as a result of participation of the Czech specialists in construction of the Yamburg Gas Pipeline and its infrastructure. The construction started during Soviet times (as is known, Russia assumed all liabilities of the FSU); however, Ukraine, in accordance with the 1997 Agreement ratified in 1999 by Verkhovna Rada, acknowledged all debts to the Czech side, which arose on the territory of Ukraine after January 1, 1992. The National Stock Company Naftogaz Ukrayiny committed itself to compensate debts by natural gas supply or convertibles agreed upon as a gas supply equivalent. However, the cost of gas has changed ever since; therefore parties have failed to agree upon the real debt value.

The Czech side does not lie heavily on it, but this issue has its impact on our bilateral relations. As far as our international liabilities are at stake, we should do our best to remove all doubts in reliability of Ukraine as a partner. For this reason the embassy and MFA try their hardest to solve this problem now.

Ukrainians in Czechia

According to the Czech statistics there reside about 22,000 people considering themselves Ukrainians. They are mainly the descendants of Ukrainian emigrants leaving for Czechia during the last century. Mostly they are drawn towards three Diaspora organizations: "Ukrainian initiative in the Czech Republic", "Association of Ukrainians and amateurs of Ukraine in the Czech Republic", "Organization of Ukrainian women in the Czech Republic". All of them are public activists. Annually the embassy together with them organizes cultural actions: traditional Shevchenko festival, Malanka etc. Yearly we gather together to commemorate the victims of starving people to death in Ukraine in 1932-1933.

Ukrainian Diaspora publishes its bimonthly Porohy carrying various information provided by our embassy, takes part in the musical ensemble "Ignis". There is a Sunday Ukrainian school in Prague, which has recently received school-books and training aids from the MFA and Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Last year at the end of September together with Diaspora organizations we conducted in Prague the week of Ukrainian culture, which riveted attention of Prague residents and representatives of diplomatic corps. In particular, Taras Chubai's group "Jeremiah's Lamentations" arranged two concerts here. The exhibition of works of the known Ukrainian artist O. Onyshchenko was opened at the Prague gallery "Jakubska", were visitors were treated to Ukrainian cuisine. O. Sanin's movie "Mamai" and M. Illenko's work "Waiting for a cargo at Fuchou offshore mooring

стр. 46

near a pagoda" were a hit.

The interest to Ukrainian culture in the Czech Republic is rising as well as desire to learn Ukrainian. Today Ukrainian as main specialty is studied in the Brno, Olomouc and Charles Universities, and there are already 92 students studying Ukrainian philology. By the way, in Ukraine the Czech language as main specialty is studied at the Taras Shevchenko National University and Ivan Franko National University in Lviv, and about 50 students are engaged in Bohemian studies.

We can but mention Ukrainian citizens working in Czechia. Unfortunately, many of them are illegal workers. However, they are not illegal migrants. Actually they have tourist, private or other visas, therefore they arrive legally. It's quite another matter. Having such visas, Ukrainians try to find a job in the Czech Republic and become illegals. There is no official statistics; the estimate is to the tune of 100,000 to 250,000 persons.

The reasons of illegal employment may be as follows:

* lack of knowledge about the country, terms of stay and employment (in Czechia you can get job on the basis of working visa which can be issued in a consulate in the country of residence of the applicant only);

* imperfection of Czech internal legislation permitting Czech employers to hire illegals (illegal profit is dozens of times higher than the sum of fine for employment of an illegal);

* lack of effective legal mechanisms of calling to account of unprincipled brokers, employers, Czech physical persons for employment without proper permit;

* too knotty process of granting working visa at Czech diplomatic offices abroad (it lasts from six to twelve months).

Nonetheless our citizens have preferred legal employment recently. According to data of the police for the matters of foreigners, there were almost 50,000 Ukrainian citizens in the Czech Republic with permits for work, studies etc as of July 1, 2003; 21,000 of them had job permits, over 18,500 had entrepreneurial permit. In addition, almost 11,000 citizens of Ukraine had residence permit. That makes over 60,000 citizens of Ukraine, or 25.5 percent of all foreigners in Czechia.

These data speak for themselves. Therefore the embassy has to protect the rights of our citizens. Daily dozens of applicants turn to our consular department. The applications vary from changing of the last name to assistance in court. Very often those are people who fell prey to gangs and remained in a foreign country without documents and means of subsistence. We consider them priority applicants and after a check issue a certificate permitting to return to Ukraine.

In Brno we inaugurated the Consular Agency which began to render all kinds of set services. Really it is very helpful as far as the majority of our citizens reside in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic.

On the other hand, the Czech side expands its consular presence in Ukraine. The inauguration of the General consulate of Czech Republic in Lviv became an important event.

The embassy is trying its best to render legal aid to our citizens. The conclusion of Ukrainian-Czech Treaty

стр. 47

about Social Security became an important event. Now the citizens of Ukraine, which legally work in the Czech Republic, have right to pension, baby-care aid (if a child was born on the territory of Czechia) etc. It is another argument in favor of legal employment. There are bilateral consultations under way about liberalization of visa regulations, according to the mode realized with our neighbors-Poland and Hungary.

As of May, 1 the new stage of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Czech Republic begins. I believe that the EDU membership will only deepen our cooperation. On the one hand, the partner potential of Czechia as an influential participant of European and EuroAtlantic processes will grow substantially, and on the other hand, close relations with Ukraine as an essential factor of stability on the eastern borders of the EU may become more important for Czechia. The signs of such interest are already felt. The potential of bilateral cooperation in all spheres allows concluding about wide prospects of Ukrainian-Czech relations both on bilateral and multilateral levels.