Partners from the European Union do not rule out that Ukraine may join the EU’s Investment Plan, however, the main condition is the successful adaptation of Ukraine’s economy to regulations and standards adopted in the EU and the accelerated modernization of the economy.
Boosting Ukraine’s participation in EU projects was discussed by Ukrainian delegates, who attended the 26th Economic Forum of Central and Eastern Europe in the Polish city of Krynica Zdroj, along with representatives of European institutions, politicians and diplomats. The Ukrainian delegation included industrialists and entrepreneurs, as well as activists of the National Forum “Transformation of Ukraine.”
Joining the so-called “Juncker plan” is in Ukraine’s interest. This is a five-year European Union Investment Plan worth EUR 315 billion. It was proposed by President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.
The project is based on injection of EUR 21 billion in seed money in the economy in order attract private investment, which should make up most of the target sum.
“Our goal is to join the project. EU partners do not rule out this, but we need to do our homework in the end: adapt the economy, create incentives for growth of business and investment activity, fully switch to international safety, quality and production standards,” President of the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE) Anatoliy Kinakh said.
He sees that this “slightly open” window of opportunity is an excellent incentive for quicker and more efficient reforms in the country. What is more, there are achievements in that direction – a bailout program developed by the Anti-Crisis Council of NGOs to overcome negative economic consequences and a concept paper for transformation of the state, which was prepared by the National Forum “Transformation of Ukraine.”
The Transformation of Ukraine Forum includes representatives of the Ukrainian state institutions, politicians, the clergy, businessmen, public figures, EU representatives, foreign experts and diplomats. One of the members of the Supervisory Board is an active lobbyist of Ukraine – Jerzy Kwiecinski, who is Secretary of State in Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development and a member of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Poland. He helps facilitate not only relations with the government but also with the parliaments of neighboring states.
Polish experts are ready to share their experience, participate in the elaboration of the concept of a program for the development of Ukraine. They also expressed their intention to continue support of Ukraine’s position regarding the deepening of cooperation with the EU, greater integration under joint projects.
“But we do not focus only on friendly partners from Poland. We use the ULIE’s representative office in Brussels to be in constant dialogue directly with the leadership of the EU, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and others. Partners from BusinessEurope, the largest business association in Europe, have also been engaged in lobbying Ukrainian business’ interests and strengthening their contacts with European colleagues,” the ULIE president said.
The ULIE signed a memorandum of cooperation with BusinessEurope, which involves, among other things, joint monitoring of EU programs and the participation of Ukrainian businesses and NGOs in them.
“These are great and yet unrealized opportunities. We should do our best and avail ourselves of these opportunities,” Anatoliy Kinakh said.
European officials, heads of national government, businesspeople gathered for one of the most important economic and political events in Central and Eastern Europe, the 26th Economic Forum, held in the Polish city of Krynica Zdroj on September 6-8. The event focused on the EU’s unity.
They discussed macroeconomics, management, international politics and security. This is a unique opportunity to reach preliminary agreements on major subjects of economic life, energy and others.
