Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-10-27-Speech-3-140"

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"en.20041027.9.3-140"2
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"Mr President, when I listen to the comments made by Mr Verheugen and by representatives of Western Europe on the subject of Ukraine, I have the curious impression that none of you appreciate the reality of the country we are talking about. This is a country that achieved independence a mere 12 years ago. It was under some form of occupation or another for centuries. For centuries too, efforts were made to stamp out the Ukrainian language. It would be impossible for such a country to get back on its feet and become both democratic and European in the Western sense of the word within 12 years. After all, your own countries took centuries to do so. This is something that simply has to be taken on board. I therefore believe that the European Union cannot afford to act merely as a passive observer of events in this country, a country that lies on the European Union’s eastern border and has a population of 50 million. It simply cannot afford to do so. Regardless of the outcome of the elections, a clearly defined programme is required. This needs to be a programme to support pro-European forces, pro-democratic forces and democratic processes in Ukraine. It should be targeted at young people, and designed to strengthen the economic dimension and economic progress. It must also be allocated the appropriate funding. I hope the European Union will put forward proposals for such a programme. As Mrs Schroedter said, it must be targeted primarily at the citizens, not at the Ukrainian authorities. We all need a programme of this kind. There is nothing worse than someone who looks on indifferently as a small, weak child fails to cope with a difficult situation. I believe we should take more concerted action. It is true that the elections will not be fully democratic, but we should not make future aid dependent on elections and election results."@en1

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