Gryshchenko: “Ukraine must be a member of the WTO”

RPU Press Service
July 27, 2005

During an online exchange that took place on the Web site ForUm, the former Foreign Minister of
Ukraine and one of the leaders of the Republican Party of Ukraine, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, said
that it is necessary for Ukraine to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a matter of
priority.

He said Ukraine must seek the most favorable terms when negotiating with WTO representatives. In
addition, “the government of Ukraine should present a transparent agenda on how to upgrade the
Ukrainian economy to meet the new challenges of competition, according to WTO regulations,” he
said.

“This agenda should be clear not only for the people’s representatives, but for the people of
Ukraine as well,” he said.

He also responded to several online questions:

Eugene: What is the position of the Republican Party of Ukraine in light of the spring
parliamentary elections? Who are your political allies?

Gryshchenko: The main principle of the RPU is respect for individual and human rights. We are
convinced that the decision-making power and allocation of resources should be exercised at the
grass-roots level, where the majority of people’s vital interests are.

Currently, the establishment of municipal elections for local police and court officials is our
priority. Security and law enforcement are the key issues that will help Ukrainians feel safe in
the streets of their cities and towns.

By introducing tax breaks, we will motivate taxpayers to pay their taxes, thereby bringing into
our official economy a substantial share of our grey economy.

We stand for a pragmatic foreign policy that will enable us to extend our circle of partners and
friends, instead of making ‘pseudo enemies’. The leadership of Ukraine will be a group of
patriotic and decent people, who are first and foremost professionals.

Ekateryna: What are Ukraine’s chances for joining the WTO, and what is the possible timeline of
this process? Please also evaluate the performance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Mr.
Tarasyuk.

Gryshchenko: Ukraine must be a member of the WTO, but we should join it on the most favorable
terms possible. Ukraine has to bring this vital negotiation stance to the table with the
countries that are already WTO members. Additionally, the government of Ukraine should have a
sound policy on economic reform that will allow us to compete successfully with other economies,
according to WTO regulations.
Both the government and people of Ukraine should have a clear understanding of the benefits that
Ukraine will obtain from WTO membership. The government should know what specific industries
will require some support, and should be ready to subsidize these industries, particularly
agriculture.

Without such preparatory work, the government cannot expect to gain support from Ukrainian
society on this vital issue, thus running the risk of postponing Ukraine’s WTO accession for an
unknown period of time.

Regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it will be possible to evaluate its performance
during the fall parliamentary session, specifically because the Republican Party of Ukraine has
proposed to conduct hearings on foreign policy issues at that time. In the course of these
hearings, we will finally determine the foreign policy of the new government and find out
whether its stated interest in joining the European Union is consistent with its announced plans
for ‘expedited’ integration into the EU.