Ukraine & NATO

[Max_the_Highlander]

Well it is used to think Georgia is another democracy-striving country and their relations with NATO are in same phase as ours - candidate for membership.

It's Caucasian republic, rather democratic though with many political and economical problems, but it has friendly relations with USA and bad relations with Russia.

It has highly developed original culture and produces good wines. It's used to think Ukraine and Georgia are allies and economical partners.

Georgians are very freedom-loving people and besides they are highlanders (it's mostly mountain country). I guess they have large potential.

I can't see anything lowering for us to be grouped with Georgia, this country is desired friend for everyone.

[stepanstas]

Max,

From what I understood, Ukraine got delayed decision because of the split with the opinion on NATO.

Is Georgia having the same mixed decision about membership?

[Max_the_Highlander]

There was a split, really. I think USA, Britain, Poland, etc were for membership while France and Germany were against. However, the only reason for negative decision was "Russian factor".

Continental Europe tried keep good relations with Russia strained by anti-missiles defence stations plus mentined fear of gas pressure. That's why they tried to balance between different interests. So these are just conjucture moments.

Note though Ukraine and Georgia were not refused, applications were prolonged and in nearest future the decision will be positive.

The reasons why the Georgia was refused are the same, I guess.

[stepanstas]

You know, I think it does Germany and France no good by being against membership.

Thinking that russia will cut off gas to all of Europe is silly.

Common sence says it all. russia does have a large effect, but as I mentioned earlier, I now have the respect I never had for Bush for his visit to Ukraine.

[stepanstas]

V4 countries support Ukraine, Georgia's NATO membership

PRAGUE, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The Visegrad Four (V4) countries of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary, support the ambition of Ukraine and Georgia to become members of NATO, V4 foreign ministers agreed at a meeting in Prague on Wednesday.

The meeting were also attended by foreign ministers of Ukraine and Sweden, which will preside over the EU in the second half of 2009.

The integration of Ukraine in NATO's Membership Action Plan will enhance political and security cooperation between Kiev and NATO, the ministers said in a joint statement after the meeting.

The V4 and Sweden supported Ukraine's integration in European structures, ministers said.

The V4 countries, Sweden and Ukraine believed that the current pace of the Ukraine-EU talks will be preserved so that Kiev acquired an agreement of privileged partnership with the EU as quickly as possible, according to the ministers.

The agreement could be completed during the Czech EU presidency in the first half of next year, they said.

The ministers were for a free trade zone to be created between the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

The V4 group was formed in 1991 in Visegrad, Hungary by Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary, with the aim to strengthen cooperation among member countries. After the split of Czechoslovakia into two successor states it was renamed to V4.

The activities of the group include meetings of presidents, prime ministers, ministers, chiefs-of-staff and supreme courts' heads.

[Max_the_Highlander]

Originally Posted by stepanstas

You know, I think it does Germany and France no good by being against membership.

Actually, I got just recently phone talk with some buddies from Germany and among other things I asked why their government made such decision. And they saw both France and Germany are very positive about EU and NATO membership of Ukraine, and so they put efforts to provide associative membership in EU... but with NATO situation is more complicated.

They just keep balance between good relations with Russia and good relations with Ukraine and situation is not so easy... US wish to put anti-missiles stations in Prague and Poland strained the EU-Russia relations and membership for Ukraine and Georgia will strain them even more... so they felt some trick from the side of US.

However, the question in fact is solved positively. Gen Sec of NATO clearly promised the future membership. In current conditions though it's better to move slower...

Ukraine is big country, and so its membership in any military alliances is strategic point.

[bm-21Lemko]

that would be great if Ukraine joined the EU.

but would we keep the Hryvna or would we adopt the Euro?

I know Poland(zloty) and Hungary(forint) kept there currencies as well as England(pound)