MEP Auštrevičius: Cooperation with European Parliament should not be regarded as foreign relations, but continuation of domestic policy

BRUSSELS. Sept 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Member of the European Parliament and member of the EP delegation to the EU-Ukraine Association Committee Petras Auštrevičius has called for greater interaction of the deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with the European Parliament and expects a "very dynamic" new political season.

"I hope that the new political season will be full of positive news from both sides. I expect that the declaration of the new strategy of the Eastern Partnership will be quite ambitious, but it will not happen just like that – for this we must work, we must enrich the text with priorities for the next decades, from both sides. I expect from Ukraine that the legislative process in terms of action in the field of reforms will be as smooth as possible within the framework of the work of the inter-parliamentary committee of the association," he said.

In this regard, the European politician spoke for the fact that not only representatives of the relevant committees of the Ukrainian parliament and members of the delegation to the Association Committee, but also others, should interact with the European Parliament.

"I would like to see more representatives of the Verkhovna Rada who would work with the European Parliament. We know our friends and partners in the Rada, but I think there should be more of them – there should be not only representatives of the Committee on European Integration and members of the parliamentary delegation to Association Committee. I think the Rada should understand that cooperation with the European Union, with the European Parliament is not a foreign policy, but an internal policy that is aimed at carrying out reforms. More people from the so-called ‘field committees’ should be invited to the sphere of foreign policy, committees on the economy, environment, social policy and so on. Interaction with the European Parliament should not be only for those who speak English. The more Rada deputies will be involved in interaction with the European Parliament, the better," he said.

Auštrevičius said that after the presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine, there were "enough critical assessments and forecasts, but in spite of everything, we are making progress, we are moving forward."

"Of course, there are some steps back in some areas, in particular, I can mention judicial reform. I understand that it is very difficult, and the whole system is fighting from the inside, that the oligarchs are playing their games in many areas, but a good result has been achieved, which, probably not as noticeable if you look at land reform, for example. Yes, implementation will be key, but I’m positive about the assessment," he said.

Speaking about the European perspective of Ukraine, the EP deputy expressed the opinion that "politicians should be less tied to specific dates and periods, but should represent broader perspectives, and not talk about 20, 22, 50, 70 years in order for Ukraine to become a member of the EU."

"If I look at Ukraine before 2014, it is a completely different country than it is today. During these seven years, more positive and constructive things have been done than in 23 years before that. And there is already a new way of thinking among the new political elite, which, as I hope, it will strengthen. Ukraine has proved that it is a country of ambitions, and I believe that in the coming years we will see real ambitions. My expectations for the next decade are very high, let’s meet in 2030 and discuss this," he said.

At the same time, Auštrevičius stressed that "there should be a clear understanding that Ukraine is its own boss, how to conduct the legislative process, how ambitious the reforms in Ukraine will be."

"Therefore, I think that we are facing a very dynamic (political) season. Our neighbors in the East will not let us sleep quietly," he added.

In this regard, the EP deputy expressed confidence that the European Union should not recognize the elections to Russia’s lower house of parliament, the Duma.

"Look how these elections are organized. There are no independent election observers, Putin’s people are doing everything they can to limit competition – they are removing some candidates, creating fake candidates – it’s just incredible. The West should probably analyze these completely illegal, completely criminal activities in the electoral process. I do not think that these elections will be fair, competitive, transparent, at least at the present time. I see more arguments against recognition than for the recognition of the elections to the Duma, as we see how this campaign is not serious," Auštrevičius said.

He also believes that holding elections in the annexed Ukrainian Crimea cannot even be a subject for discussion due to the policy of non-recognition of the annexation as such.