UKRAINE’S INTEGRATION INTO EUROPE

УДК 339.924

Литвинова А.В., студентка 1 року ОС магістр
ХНЕУ ім. С. Кузнеця

Ukraine’s relations with the EU and the European integration course of Ukraine are one of the most pressing topics of the study of Ukraine’s contemporary development. Problems of integration and cooperation between Ukraine and the EU have been reflected in the scientific works of such authors as L. Danilenko, O. Kindratets, D. Michel, V. Muravev, M. Nazarenko, E. Tikhomirova and others.

In contemporary international relations, integration formation plays an important role. Almost every country takes part in at least one of them. In addition, even those countries that are not included in these formations are affected by their influence. In Europe, such an integration group is the European Union (the EU). Ukraine is a European state. Its international relations depend on the unification and standardization of the conditions and factors of the development of European countries. Therefore, it is impossible to consider the future of Ukraine outside the European and world development in general. For Ukraine, the European choice opens up new prospects for cooperation with developed countries of the continent, provides opportunities for economic development, strengthening positions in the world system of international relations, and is also the best way to realize national interests.

Integration processes of the world development are not accidental, but logical. Depending on the preconditions that exist in the midst of each and every integrating country, and between them all, they can achieve success on the condition of social development, and in the case of using integration to realize their own interests. Today, integration is a tendency for the world development and a prerequisite for the intensification of globalization processes. European integration, as part of the globalization process of the modern world, requires European countries to identify their interests at the global level and the practical formation of the EU-wide global space with the corresponding inclusion of neighboring countries in the sphere of European interests [2].

European integration is a way of transforming the economy of Ukraine, overcoming technological backwardness, attracting foreign investment and new technologies, creating new jobs, improving the competitiveness of domestic commodities, entering the world markets, first of all, into the EU market. In addition, the EU membership will open the way to collective security structures of the European Union in the future, will ensure more effective coordination of actions with European states in the field of export control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, will enable cooperation to be intensified in the fight against terrorism, organized crime, smuggling, illegal migration, drug trafficking and so on. Integration processes in themselves are complex processes; therefore, it is necessary to understand what Ukraine needs for effective entry into the EU and what problems may arise along this path.

The European Union’s relations with its neighbors are based on mutual respect of common values, namely democracy, respect of human rights, the rule of law, good governance, the principles of a socially oriented market economy and sustainable development. The move towards European integration for Ukraine is a way of effectively integrating it into the existing system of distribution of functions and roles in the modern world system; it’s more intensive inclusion in international cooperation on conflict resolution and counteracting the latest threats to international security. The prospect of the development of European integration processes in Ukraine is directly related to the definition of Ukraine’s place and role in the world. To implement the course on European integration with the prospect of joining the EU and belonging to a democratic world, it is important to implement practical measures aimed at creating a reliable and stable basis for the gradual integration of Ukraine into the European Union as an equal and competitive member.

According to economists, by 2020, Ukraine will not become a member of the EU because the Union is currently facing a crisis, in addition, the country will join the EU, which will require significant compensation for the closure of entire industries. The EU’s economy implies that the state joining the European Union should be included in the common market and, accordingly, introduce quotas for the production of one or another product. Therefore, integration of Ukraine is not beneficial for the EU at this stage. This is one of the problems of Ukraine’s entry the EU. Another problem of Ukraine’s integration into the EU is Ukrainian legislation that is not harmonized with European standards. It is necessary to adapt Ukrainian legislation to that of the European Union. This can be done by reforming the Ukrainian legal system and gradually bringing it into line with European standards. This adaptation should cover such areas as: private, customs, labor, financial law; tax legislation, intellectual property law, labor, life and health, the environment and much more. However, today it is difficult to implement such measures in Ukraine.

Ukraine needs to form its “agenda” so that in Europe it can be perceived as a reliable partner. In addition, it is necessary to achieve at least the level of political, economic, social development that exists in Europe. The modernization of Ukrainian society will promote the use of a positive European experience in conducting political, socio-economic and administrative reforms. The period of Ukraine’s adaptation to the EU standards is long and can be carried out in the presence of the appropriate prerequisites that are necessary for the further development of relations between the EU and Ukraine, which are currently taking place. Among them one can distinguish the following: the presence of political forces supporting the European integration of Ukraine; the interest of Ukraine’s population in European integration; assisting Ukraine in its European aspirations by EU countries and others. However, it should be borne in mind that euro integration values are changing. Therefore, it is important that Ukraine does not imitate those values that have lost their value. It is necessary to understand clearly the ultimate goal and to remember that European integration cannot be an end in itself, but only an instrument in achieving the goal.

REFERENCES

  1. Anderson C.J. When in Doubt, Use Proxies – Attitudes toward Domestic Politics and Support for European Integration. Comparative Political Studies. – 1998. – No. 31 (5). – Pp. 569–601.

  2. Zolkina M. European Integration of Ukraine: Experience of Yesterday for Development of Tomorrow // Informational & Analytical Bulletin. – Public Opinion. – 2013. – No. 13. – Pp. 1–13.

Науковий керівник

старший викладач Михайлова Л.З.