The events of the past few days in Kiev are a reminder both of the attraction of Europe as a concept, as a means of bringing nations together and as an aspiration for those countries still groping for a freedom of the sort we take for granted. It is a dream that, whilst many here are cynical about it, is real to the young people of the former Soviet republics, something I witnessed myself in Armenia two years ago.
And with the newly-released Yulia Tymoschenko announcing her intention to lead Ukraine into the European Union, that yearning is about to run head on into the bureaucratic sands that are the acquis which must be dealt with prior to accession, even assuming that Europe could cope with such a member. They are, especially for a country which has little democratic history, a daunting challenge, and one which will frustrate those young people in a hurry.
Yet, meeting the required standards, even if membership of the European Union is not imminent, is the best hope for the Ukrainian people, implying as it does rights and freedoms that they have not hitherto been that used to. And so, I suggest, the European Union has an obligation to engage in, and support, whatever quick, necessary steps can be taken to demonstrate that change is real and that Ukraine will be welcome amongst the European family.
That is not to say that accession will be easy, and whilst the Russians have any opportunity to impede and interfere, they certainly will, but by demonstrating that a relationship of equals can bring greater benefits than the big brother alternative that Putin offers, we can persuade those who are fearful for their future to take courage. And, in doing so, we send out a message to other former Soviet republics that they are not alone...
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