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On April 6, 2016 the first referendum will be held within the scope of the Law on advisory corrective referendum adopted in 2015. The Dutch will be offered to answer the question: “Are you for or against the law approving the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement”? Dutch government has unconditionally supported this treaty. Both chambers of the Parliament voted by the vast majority “for”, respective document was signed by the King and even printed on the official web-site. Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU was endorsed in accordance with all the procedures. And now the most wished – for instrument of the direct democracy comes forth – referendum on legislative decisions. Dealing with this issue it must be stated that the Dutch are pragmatic people evaluating any treaty in the context of its practical outcome for the country. Let us briefly figure out what are the pros and cons of this Agreement for the Netherlands?
Benefits:
By this Agreement any dues are lifted. Businessmen are guaranteed that the Ukrainian market of commodities and services will be open on the predictable basis of the secure trade rules. Such conditions are bound to spawn new opportunities for the businessmen, investors and consumers from the both states. Dutch business will be accessed to a civilized market of a country which numbers nearly 45 million people!
The Agreement is congruent with the security interests of the Netherlands due to stabilization effort in the East of Ukraine. Ukraine will be gravely supported within its efforts to carry out the reforms and set up stable and reliable relations with the EU.
The Agreement corresponds to the Ukraine’s aspiration to quit the Kremlin’s imperialistic influence and enhances its possibilities to counter Russian aggression which risks to get expanded over the whole Europe. Association Agreement is tangible contribution into the reinforcement of the so called “Great Ukrainian Wall” protecting EU form the Putin’s expansionist ambitions.
Before discussing potential negative consequences of the Agreement I find it expedient to strip away myths and phobias promulgated by certain politically committed and dishonest media in the Netherlands.
Ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement doesn’t mean the EU widening to the East. Similar treaties ware signed with some countries of the Central America and Middle East. Can anybody mention at least one state among them to submit the application to join EU? Association constitutes a step on the way towards membership allowing the country to consider all pros and cons of such a partnership. In order to become member of the Union, the candidate-state is obliged to have relevant institutes guaranteeing democracy, rule of law, human’s rights, respect for the minorities and their protection, as well as established operable market economy. It's no secret that Ukrainians have set an ambitious goal to join the EU. Actually it deserves praise and optimism that a country having recently thrown off the shackles of totalitarian and communist past creates conditions for the future membership.
Ratification of the Agreement doesn’t bind the EU to increase the amount of the financial support therefore the national budgets of the member-states will not be overcharged. By the treaty there are no engagements from the European side to provide financial support for Ukraine. At the contrary Ukraine will be able to participate in the different EU programs and it will be Kyiv to pay fees not Amsterdam. This is the case when a poor man is not fed with the free fish but is given a fishing rod for he could catch some fish for himself.
Ratification of the Agreement doesn’t foresee the non-visa regime with Ukraine. Potential liberalization of the visa regime is a topic for a single treaty. Currently visa liberalization Action plan is being implemented. And only upon meeting the Action plan provisions by Kyiv, the possibility for such a regime to be introduced will become visible.
In terms of drawbacks for the Netherlands resulting from the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, there aren’t ANY. Whatever the opponents of the ratification declare, on closer examination their arguments appear to be imposed from the outside and have nothing in common with reality. Moreover mostly of them even do not deal with Ukraine. In fact the referendum shouldn’t have been conducted. A person who is not keen on this topic will find it difficult to evaluate an international treaty. Is it correct to grant the right to ratify the Agreement to the ordinary people? It is equal to let the population decide whether a criminal is guilty or not. As a rule ordinary man has little awareness of the case (without mentioning the jury) but is suggested to issue a sentence. The primary goal of the draftsmen of the referendum is to obtain seats in the European parliament. We are spectating a ridiculous situation as the opponents of the EU government are demonizing the image of Ukraine simultaneously claiming that the Association between EU and Ukraine will affect the Netherlands. We can assume that Ukraine found itself in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to a savvy remark of a diplomat: “Everybody, how much Dutch people like herring. They grab its tail put the fillet into the mouth and then chew it with relish. As for the referendum they grasp the government, hang up the EU and chew Ukraine”.
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