«Ukraine must feed the world again.» What may change for the country in June

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What to expect from Ukraine’s possible membership in the EU, how to bring Ukrainian citizens home, and what Ukraine can be like in 2030? This was discussed at the Spring Business Forum in Lviv with the participation of ambassadors and diplomats, organized by «HD Partners Law Firm.» The title of this year’s forum is «Ukrainian DREAM – ways to renew the state after the war.»

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The prospect of EU membership and the Rebuild Ukraine program: what to expect?

Matti Maasikas, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, stressed that EU membership would change the whole country and the whole society. As an Estonian citizen and civil servant, he went through all the stages of his country’s accession to the EU. EU membership is an identity, and Ukraine corresponds to it.

«Ukraine is a European state geographically, historically, and culturally. Thanks to the signing and implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU, it has become even more integrated into the context of the European Union through economic integration, human context, and a visa-free regime. It has always been natural for me that Ukraine wants to become completely European, in a political sense as well,» – said Matti Maasikas.

Read also: Will Lviv businesses benefit from the abolition of customs duties? 

However, the diplomat continues, the truth is that there was no discussion at the EU level on enlargement until February 24. For example, the countries of the Western Balkans gained their membership prospects many years ago, but only Croatia joined the European Union.

«There is a tradition in the EU that they do one thing at once in the field of foreign affairs. When I came to Ukraine and talked to President Zelenskyi, he asked me when Ukraine would become a member of the EU. I bit my lip and didn’t know what to say. I just said that I hope to see that day,» – Matti Maasikas admits.

However, according to the diplomat, there is hope because a lot has changed now. On the fifth day of the war, the president signed an application to join the EU, and this was a very decisive step in urging the EU to respond.

«The EU is a responsible international organization, it must process this application. In June, the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, will present its opinion on it. If we talk about time perspectives, when it came to Bosnia and Herzegovina that also had the prospect of membership, this process took two years. In the case of Ukraine, it takes two months,» – explains Matti Maasikas.

All decisions on the accession of new members to the EU are made by consensus because all current members should be comfortable with the accession of new ones. After the European Commission makes a conclusion and announces it, the discussion will begin, so we should expect a unanimous decision.

«These discussions between the member states will be conducted by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, who visited Ukraine from the very beginning of the war and made a clear statement in late April that he personally supports giving it a new status in June,» – the diplomat said.

In fact, according to the EU ambassador, public opinion in the European Union about Ukraine has also changed, despite the fact that EU enlargement has never been a popular policy for its current members. Some are afraid of subsidies and dotations if a poorer country joins, while others are worried about cultural or mental dissimilarity. However, the current situation is that the majority of EU citizens support Ukraine, and this will have an impact.

«We believe in you because you believe in yourself. We see how the Ukrainian government is fully functional, and how Ukrainian democracy, municipalities, and all Ukrainian civil society works. The Ukrainian economy is also showing signs of revival, which gives us, your friends, confidence that we should help you,» – said Matti Maasikas.

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The Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine also commented on the purpose and conditions of the EU «Rebuild Ukraine» program. According to him, it is aimed to support the government of Ukraine.

«The European Investment Bank has allocated about 800 million, even more funds are planned to be given for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The main question is how to do it, and how to coordinate activities. Two days ago, the European Commission proposed an initiative to create a multilateral format for this reconstruction. There is talk of a fund where various stakeholders, and market players can contribute. And I am very interested in how Ukraine will be involved in the work of this fund,» – said Matti Maasikas.

What changes will Ukraine’s membership in the EU bring to the business?

EU membership means complying with all EU rules, regulations, and standards, says Matti Maasikas.

«The basis of the EU’s functioning is a single market. This single market cannot work if in one part of it, in one country, there are one rules, while in the rest of the EU, they are different. Everyone has to follow the same rules, and it’s not just about the economy or trade, it’s also about capital, people, establishments, and institutions,» – said Matti Maasikas.

The single market will not work if businessmen are not sure whether the judiciary in another EU country works the same way and that they know all the rules. Therefore, it is not just about the market, but also many other support systems and institutions.

«Recalling my own Estonian experience, I must say that EU standards are actually very high, especially in terms of quality. Of course, the EU has the richest customers, but they are also the most demanding, so no one will be able to circumvent these high standards. In particular, ecological standards are very serious, which are difficult to meet for those Eastern European countries that have already joined the EU,» – said the diplomat.

The EU is trying to help some countries meet these standards at their own expense. But no matter how much the country receives from Brussels, the main benefits of EU membership are working with the single market, the EU ambassador said.Ukraine – 2030. What will it be like?

Christopher Politis, a representative of the United Nations Development Program, is convinced that 2030 will be a key milestone for the United Nations and the international community as a whole.

«We have identified 2030 as a milestone to achieve what we call sustainable development goals. It was quite difficult, because the world has gone through many crises, and the war in Ukraine is the most acute of them. The resilience of the Ukrainian people was extraordinary, many Ukrainians left their homes, but took with them the Ukrainian flag and values ​​that are very similar to the values ​​of the EU,» – emphasizes the representative of the UNDP.

Read also: Values over interests. What lessons is the world learning from Ukraine?

Christopher Politis believes that Ukrainians will preserve their potential, and the way to rebuild Ukraine for the UNDP will remain a priority. «On the one hand, you see and solve current problems, but you also look ahead, try to move towards a bright future, and make this future more inclusive and stable,» – he said.

Matti Maasikas sees Ukraine as confident, as one that has already taken place as a nation, and hopes that it will be possible to rebuild it completely in the short term.

«Ukraine needs to become more modern, more digital and greener, integrate into the EU, and feed the world again. I also expect an improvement of at least 100 positions in the ranking of global corruption. This must be done,» – the diplomat advises.

Mykhailo Brodsky, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Ukraine, sees our country in 2030 as free and democratic, as well as strong and secure.

«I would like to see Ukraine as a country that attracts investment, and business and provides opportunities for both Ukrainians and foreigners who want to work in Ukraine, develop business and invest here,» – he said.

UN Development Program of Ukraine

Christopher Politis notes that 350 members of UNDP staff remain in Ukraine, even in the eastern regions, and support the Ukrainian people.

«We are on the verge of losing 20 years of economic achievements. 25% of Ukraine’s population has already suffered from this war. Of course, we are talking about compensation for losses, but we are also talking about the need to continue investing in the system. These are the «bricks» that will form a viable, sustainable environment in Ukraine.»

According to Christopher Politis, the UNDP will focus on investing in Ukraine’s stable future in addition to other areas, including cooperation with small and medium-sized businesses. This is extremely important for survival, as small and medium-sized businesses create the most jobs:

«It is important to leave Ukrainian businesses in Ukraine so that they can support the state. We focus on two key points: cooperation with local authorities, business, and the private sector. This will help create an ecosystem that will create jobs, and cope with adverse, shocking circumstances.»

It is also important to learn how to look for finances, says Christopher Politis. Today, the UNDP is trying to support business:

«We are trying to create a fund that will help businesses relocated from the East or South of Ukraine. The fund will also support businesses that are currently operating in the West so that they can work together to build and scale an ecosystem that will enable them to create new jobs and bring businesses together.»

Challenges are opportunities

Mykhailo Brodsky says that Israel has a lot of experience that would be useful to Ukraine, although Ukraine must develop its own ways to overcome the challenges of war.

«Ukraine can still learn some lessons. Probably the main thing is that all problems need to be turned into opportunities. This should become the slogan of Ukraine at the time of reconstruction. Our development of high technologies and the IT sector took place not because of the creation of favorable conditions, but in spite of all the challenges, as a response to them,» – he explains.

The fact is, the ambassador said, that the Israeli army has begun to develop high technology within the military system to solve security problems. As a result, these technologies became the basis of Israel’s development and technological achievements.

Another aspect that has helped Israel survive in volatile conditions of war is the creation of favorable conditions for migrants:

«All these tens of thousands of migrants of Jewish origin want to start from scratch and want to succeed. When Ukrainians begin to return to their country, try to use this spirit, this atmosphere, to rebuild Ukraine, it’s economy. People need to feel that they are starting from scratch and succeeding.»

Mykhailo Brodsky emphasizes the great power of the Ukrainian IT space. Ukrainian specialists created more than half of the outsourcing services for Israel. After the war, Israel will be trying to bring these people back, because the future of the Ukrainian economy depends on the development of IT space, technological and financial services:

«Israel will support Ukraine both during and after the war in its attempts to rebuild its economy. We will work with the medical, agricultural and IT sectors.»

How to return Ukrainians to normal life?

Christopher Politis believes that in order to bring Ukrainians home, it is necessary to create a stable economy.

«Investments should be directed to Ukraine, platforms should be formed for innovative companies so that the Ukrainian ecosystem would enable new talented entrepreneurs to prosper. We must also create an ecosystem for small and medium-sized businesses, and support everything that can encourage people to return. If we talk about Europe, there are prospects. If a person cannot find a job there, and a job is waiting for him in Ukraine, he will probably return,» – he said.

Read also: 22% of Ukrainians plan to go back home in the nearest time. Twice as much want to do this after the war

The Israeli ambassador advises Ukraine to start establishing close ties with the Ukrainian diaspora. Israel has always relied on the support of the diaspora, Jewish communities outside its country, says Mikhail Brodsky and adds:

«A strong Ukraine does not necessarily mean that all Ukrainians will return to Ukraine; in some cases, you may just need to maintain close contact with the Ukrainian diaspora, because sometimes it can be more useful to you than those who return. Of course, it is very important to bring people back to their homeland, but it is also important to maintain very good ties with the diaspora.»

Strengths of Ukraine?

Matti Maasikas draws attention to the incredible resilience of Ukrainians, which is based on strong patriotism, as well as the Cossack mentality, when the community is self-governing and does not need a «tsar».

«Ukrainians always know that they are responsible for everything. They defend their country, homeland, and soil. This is the root of their incredible strength and determination,» – said the EU Ambassador. Ukraine has the best soils in the world, and a favorable geographical location – proximity to the richest markets in the world.

Christopher Politis agrees with Matti Maasikas on resilience and speaks of a strong institutional backbone.

«The state government in Ukraine is operating, not only functioning, but doing so effectively. With your Cossack approach, you really have a very solid subnational platform. The ability to self-organize is the first of Ukraine’s main strengths. The second is human capital. You have very strong abilities and skills that were invested in the first phase of the war, but you also need to move forward – to the recovery phase.’

Digital infrastructure is another strength of Ukraine that will help rebuild it. It will also be important to move towards a «green» transformation and a «green» future, which lies in the restoration of Ukraine.

Mykhailo Brodsky notes that the strength of Ukraine is the creativity of its people. It is not only about art but also about construction, the IT sector, and the desire of Ukrainians to preserve democracy. 

By Kateryna Bortniak

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Lviv Now is an English-language website for Lviv, Ukraine’s «tech-friendly cultural hub.» It is produced by Tvoe Misto («Your City») media-hub, which also hosts regular problem-solving public forums to benefit the city and its people.

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