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One of the main discussion panels on economic development issues entitled "Trade – Europe in the Global Economy" was held in Brussels on May 7 as part of the European Business Summit. President of the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE) Antoliy Kinakh participated in it in order to share the key opinions of the Ukrainian business community on cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union (EU).
"The public sector and business associations adhere to the following opinion – Ukraine's economic and political integration in the EU is irreversible and we support it. The EU has become the main strategic partner of our country in 2014. Numbers speak louder than words – our exports to EU countries account for 36% now, and the share of EU investment in Ukraine is 70%! Closer cooperation with Europe is a chance to speed up the introduction of high standards in Ukraine. In addition, cooperation with the EU has to gain a new, not just formal, quality so as to rely on the strength, opinion and opportunities of Ukraine's civil society in future," he said adding that it was the purpose for which the ULIE had opened its representative office in the EU recently.
"Our goal is to deepen cooperation with the BUSINESSEUROPE organization, the European Parliament, and the European Commission and accelerate the implementation of Ukrainian-EU economic cooperation bearing huge potential. We appreciate Europe's assistance, but Ukraine has to take the first decisive step on its own – introduce global reforms, improve the work of all branches of the government, and strengthen the role of civil society. This is our own homework task which we have to fulfill. It depends on us how Ukraine will cope with these challenges," the ULIE president said.
Ukraine is currently suffering from treacherous aggression by its closest neighbor – Russia, which was a good economic partner in the past. Our country's resources are gradually being exhausted, but it intends to defend the national interests, he said.
"Our country is currently suffering from treacherous aggression and it has to struggle for its rights to territorial integrity, independence, and freedom. And our main weapons here are implemented reforms, economic growth, consolidation of civil society and the strong support of our international partners, namely the EU. We are ready to unite efforts in this fight as we are sure that Ukraine will become a strong and reliable partner of the EU once it overcomes all challenges," Kinakh said.
Kinakh's speech at the discussion entitled "Trade – Europe in the Global Economy" was followed by the speeches by Deputy Director General of the European Commission's Directorate General for Trade Mauro Petriccione, Director of the International Relations Department at BUSINESSEUROPE Luisa Santos, Member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg Viviane Reding, and President of the Employers' Group at the European Economic and Social Committee Jacek Krawczyk.