Abstract

Further development of the strategic dialogue in the context of the Ukraine – EU Summit’s final decisions has been investigated in the article. It should be mentioned that this summit showed poor interest from the European politicians on the constructive solution of “Ukrainian issues”: the liberalization of visa regime, the end of the process of Association Agreement with the EU’s ratification, the continuation of anti-Russian sanctions, and others. Moreover, any practical step, event, action plan that could facilitate the integration of Ukraine into the EU has been announced. The significant fact was that the Ukrainian diplomatic service hasn’t made any efforts, which were required in order not only to defend, but also to implement national interests on a practical level. As for the further development of the strategic dialogue regarding visa liberalization, it is necessary to emphasize that this process should be based on an objective awareness of the necessity to introduce visa-free regime: if it is useful and meets needs of the population. In case, if it doesn’t meet the interests of Ukrainian fully, we need to give more attention to other, more important issues, such as an increase of the Ukrainian quota for exporting its products to the EU without paying duty, an expansion of spheres of practical cooperation, an assistance in carrying out the necessary reforms, strengthening cooperation in spheres of security and defense. Another issue that was discussed quite actively during the summit was the continuation of sanctions against Russia. Regarding the development of strategic dialogue in this context, it should be emphasized that Ukrainian diplomats must operate in organs and structures of the European Union more efficiently and persistently: they should show themselves in more determined actions, such as the suggestion of specific practical proposals and variants, full defend of national interests, representation of action plans, strategies and initiatives. In this case, we can expect the transformation of the dialogue to more practical level, which can bring us more useful results than the level of rhetoric. According to the further completion of the ratification of the Association Agreement with the EU, it should be noted that there are a number of obstacles along the way. One of the most dangerous obstacles is the position of the Netherlands towards this issue. In particular, it is due to the fact that they agree to ratify the document, which doesn’t provide any grounds for Ukraine’s membership in the EU, it doesn’t give Ukrainians the right to work in the EU and doesn’t provide our country any security guarantees. This goes in contrast to Ukraine’s European integration plans, and therefore the strategic dialogue should be aimed at constructive compromise talks, which should not contain rhetoric, and should be aimed at the clearly defined practical result.