RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF UKRAINE
УДК 339.972
Воїнкова О.В., студентка 4 курсу
ХНЕУ ім. С. Кузнеця
The European integration of Ukraine into the system of the European global economy is the most pressing problem in the system of its international economic relations. How quickly and efficiently Ukraine can reform its structure and get rid of corrupt sector depends on the further development of the economy and international relations of Ukraine with other countries.
The question of Ukraine’s integration into the European Union has been raised since its independence. The foreign policy concept was developed in the Republic of Ukraine, called “On main directions of the foreign policy of Ukraine” (July 2, 1993), then such documents as a strategy of Ukraine’s integration into EU and the Program of Integration into the EU were formulated 1998 and 2000 years. The law of Ukraine “On the principles of national and foreign policy” was worked out in 2010. And in June 2014, the economic part of the association agreement between EU and Ukraine was signed [1, p. 10].
European integration is a rather complicated system of political, economic and socio-cultural processes, whose main aim is the convergence of European States in all spheres [2, p. 14]. Any European country can apply for membership, provided that it shares the democratic values of the EU and is committed to helping them. Therefore, countries wishing to join must have:
- stable democratic institutions guaranteeing the rule of law, respect for human rights and the protection of national minorities;
- competitive market economy;
- the ability to assume the obligations of membership and to implement effectively [3].
European integration occurs as a process of negotiation between the EU and a country wishing to join the Union. During the negotiations, the European Commission monitors the progress of the candidate regarding the fulfillment of requirements put forward and gives additional guidance for effective work. The Commission also informed the EU Council and the European Parliament of the outcome of talks with the country and changes in its structure and economy. The candidate shall take the EU only when closed all negotiation chapters, i.e., all conditions of the negotiations.
The process of European integration is not merely signing an agreement on cooperation, but also a number of obligations to the European structure. Thus, the level of the quality of citizen‘s life should be high enough, it is necessary to modernize almost all spheres of life, to increase the quality and competitiveness of domestic products, to support the development of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as to give special attention to domestic enterprises [2]. At the beginning of the last year, the European Council put forward conditions for opening a visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU. Thus, country was supposed to reform the judicial, law-enforcement system and the structure of the Prosecutor’s Office. The European Union also requires activating National Anticorruption Bureau and Specialized Prosecutor’s Office, to adopt legislation concerning the arrest and special confiscation property and develop funding of anti-corruption bodies in budget for 2016.
In general, these requirements should stabilize the economy of country and Ukraine has all chances to occupy high positions in international relations between the countries after the EU accession. Firstly, the EU membership will help the State improve its relations with Western countries and will stabilize its position in the global structure. Secondly, the joint solution of environmental, economic and many other problems will lead to more effective results. Opening a visa-free regime will contribute to the development of international trade and would lead to the international exchange of experience between workers in different fields. Also, support of the other European countries will help Ukraine easier and efficiently move all the upcoming changes in the economy, society and many other areas. The establishment of European standards and help production will stabilize a new level of development of the economy and industry. It is possible to effectively reform the education, health and provide social protection to national minorities. It will be possible to implement many of the start-ups, research and development, our compatriots, because inclusion of Ukraine to European countries, and the signing of the Association Agreement will significantly increase its investment appeal and direct investments. The output of our country on the world stage relationship implies its acceptance as a major subject of political relations.
However, today many political scientists believe that Ukraine’s entry into the EU could undermine the fragile economy of Ukraine. Competitiveness of domestic products, as well as imports of foreign goods, will cause massive closure of Ukrainian enterprises and devaluing domestic products. Also, it can be difficult to take the investments from the EU. There is a risk of migration the European unemployed on the territory of Ukraine. Ukraine has a strong resource potential, so there is the threat of using Ukraine by other countries as a storehouse of natural resources and fertile soil after the EU accession. There is a threat of outsourcing environmentally costly productions in country that undoubtedly will negative influence on environmental and social condition of our country. Therefore, exactly claim that country’s accession to the EU immediately solve all problems. The integration process is gradual and in this case to stabilize the internal situation of the country, solves domestic economic problems and active foreign economic activity.
Ukraine has all the possibilities to develop their international relations with other countries, but to effectively integrate and stabilize relations among countries on the world stage, our country should, first of all, reform the economy, solve its domestic economic and political issues and modernize production facilities in accordance with international standards. After deciding all internal problems, Ukraine will be able to get positive results from the process of European integration and will not lose its position in the international arena.
REFERENCES
Arbuzova S.G., Grinberg R.S. Problems and prospects of cooperation between the European Union, Ukraine and Russia in the new conditions: the materials of the collection of scientific works of the Association "Centre for research on the economic and socio-cultural development of the CIS countries, Central and Eastern Europe. – М.: Nauka, 2015. – 184 p.
Chal‘ceva O.M. English European integration: the path to nowhere or a real foreign policy vector? // Economics, finance and law. – 2011. – № 1 – P. 14-17.
Науковий керівник
старший викладач Михайлова Л.З.