28.02.2008 r.
Wystąpienie Posła Krzysztofa Liska podczas II Forum Ukraina-Europa
Ladies and gentlemen,Europe is not the same place it was 50 years ago. Any organisation that started with six members and has grown to 27 would need to change its rules. I ‘m sure that the new Lisbon Treaty represented progress for the European Union. This Treaty gives the European Union more democracy, more visibility and greater influence at home and abroad.
The Treaty of Lisbon sets out common principles and objectives for the Union’s external action: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity. All these "values" are necessary for the development and progress in the European Union and in Ukraine.
The Union after the Treaty of Lisbon will strengthen the Union's negotiating power, making it more effective on the world stage and a more visible partner for third countries and international organizations. Under the Treaty of Lisbon, Europe will speak with a clear voice on external relations. In connection with it the most important issue is that the Treaty of Lisbon remains the door to Europe and the European Union still open.
MY QUESTIONS: I prepare some questions to the participants of this panel. The first group of questions addressed to participants from the EU:
1. Is Ukraine Part of Europe’s Future?
2. What the EU can offer Ukraine today and in the future?
3. When the European Union will offer Ukraine an EU membership perspective?
4. What is the likely timetable for the Ukrainian EU’s enlargement?
5. Is the EU really ready to Ukrainian membership?
The second group of questions are addressed to Ukrainian side of this panel:
1. Is really the EU membership a main issue in Ukrainian domestic politics and in Ukrainian society? 2. The best way is not to talk all the time only about membership. The question is how and when Ukraine would like to achieve concrete results, showing commitment to European standards and values?
3. Do you believe that Ukraine can or will convince the EU member countries that Ukraine should become a member of this organization?
4. What form and kind of help need Ukraine for better preparation to the membership in the European Union?
Conclusions: I’ m sure that the Lisbon Treaty would allow the neighboring Ukraine for membership in the European Union. In my opinion Ukraine is Part of Europe’s Area of Peace and Freedom. In fact, the European Union shall offer Ukraine an EU membership perspective, now, not in 10 or 20 years. We must prepare clear timetable for the Ukrainian EU’s enlargement. Poland, Polish government and Polish parliament are strong advocate of the Ukrainian membership in the European Union. We are trying to convince the EU member countries that Ukraine is able to achieve concrete results, showing commitment to European standards and values.
