An exclusive interview by Interfax-Ukraine with Belgium Ambassador to Ukraine Marc Vinck

Q.: Do you think that the presidential election campaign has begun early? Its official start is scheduled for October 19, 2009. However, both in Ukraine's capital and other Ukrainian cities, election billboards promoting various politicians have appeared… A.: As far as I understand, the election campaign should start in Ukraine after candidates [running for the presidency] have been nominated and registered - and only then they can start promoting themselves. As of today, they're promoting themselves not as presidential candidates, but as politicians. And perhaps everybody will agree with me that such an early start of the presidential campaign won't do any good for the unity of Ukraine's political forces. Q.: Is it important to Belgium who becomes the next president of Ukraine? A.: This is Ukraine's choice, [and] this is Ukraine's internal affair. For Belgium and the international community, a key component of the election - its democracy, transparency and fairness - is of importance. It's also important that the process of preparing for the election is fair, free and open. Q.: Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko will make an official visit to Belgium in the middle of October. What subjects will be highlighted during the talks? Are there any agreements to be signed? A.: I'd like to stress particularly that in recent years we've seen new dynamics in the development of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Belgium. It might sound clichéd, but objectively more and more Belgians and Ukrainians have started to cooperate. From the viewpoint of investment and the economy, we're seeing trade growth. More and more Belgian companies are noting the growth of Ukraine's investment attractiveness. Also from the viewpoint of visits, the number of Ukrainians' visits to Belgium is on the rise, and the number of visa refusals to Ukrainians is on the decline. Against the background of official relations, the number of visits, and the number of meetings of both countries' officials is increasing. In particular, last year there were seven meetings between the two countries' foreign ministers, while commercial delegates from Belgium visited Kyiv three times. Also, over the past year, Belgium has begun to better understand Ukraine's European Union and NATO membership aspirations. Belgium, as is the case with the other 26 EU member countries, is trying to find the best way to achieve understanding with Ukraine on a free trade agreement, on the Association Agreement, as well as on the further development of Ukrainian-EU relations. Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko's visit to Belgium is a response to our prime minister's visit to Ukraine last year. During the Ukrainian president's visit to Belgium, on the agenda will be issues related to the further development of cooperation; and we will also focus on Belgian-developed training programs for state officials and law enforcement officers. What is more, and something that is very important, is that the issue of enhancing Belgian companies' interest in investing more in Ukraine will be raised. The sides will also discuss the historic component of Ukrainian-Belgian relations, as in the 19th century, Belgium has invested a lot in the development of Ukraine's Donbass region. Q.: How do you view Ukraine's plans to join NATO? Could you please give your forecasts, opinions and advice? A.: It's up to Ukraine how it builds its relations with the [North Atlantic] Alliance, and whether it is worth enhancing its relations with NATO. If the Ukrainian state firmly decides on accession to NATO, it will become NATO member at a certain point. Kyiv is now implementing a certain plan related to NATO membership, and that document foresees a number of reforms, in particular, broadly informing society about the alliance's activity. Q.: Belgium will soon take over the European Union presidency [in July 2010]. How will your country's presidency of the union influence relations between Ukraine and the EU? A.: Yes, Belgium will take over the EU presidency in the second half of 2010. However, if the Treaty of Lisbon comes into effect before that, the format of the presidency in the European Union will change somewhat, and the European Commission will enjoy more powers. There will be a so-called Troika -closer interaction of the country whose presidency is expiring, the country over the EU presidency, and the European Commission. This will happen only if all 27 EU member countries ratify the Treaty of Lisbon. I dare say that by that time, much will change - there will be a new president and a new government in Ukraine. Today we know that Ukraine is in active talks on free trade and on an association [agreement]. Also on the agenda are Ukraine's integration into the European Energy Community (the Energy Community South East Europe Treaty, or ECSEE, was signed in Athens, Greece on October 25 2005, and entered into force on July 1, 2006 - editor's note.) and the issue of the Eastern Partnership (an EU initiative, presented at the EU's General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on May 26, 2008 and inaugurated in Prague on May 7, 2009 - editor's note). We hope very much that there will be a change in the visa regime between Ukraine and the European Union. I dare to point out that there is also the need to conduct domestic reform in Ukraine as well, but I'm sure it will happen. I'd particularly like to stress that Belgium supports Ukraine's European aspirations. Q.: What is, in your opinion, the best division of Euro 2012 host cities between Ukraine and Poland? A.: Personally I advocate that UEFA [the Union of European Football Associations] select four cities in Ukraine to host the Euro 2012. Our position is that there should be a balanced approach – four cities in Ukraine and four cities in Poland, which is the best option for holding such an event. This will ensure the best possible balance. Therefore we plan a number of measures to support the Ukrainian cities. Q.: What issues will be considered at a conference in Lviv? A.: A large delegation is to go to Lviv. Among them there will be representatives of Belgian companies. Mainly these are companies new to the Ukrainian market, which are interested both in the implementation of projects related to Euro 2012 and in cooperation with Lviv in terms not related to the football championship. There will be over 50 delegates. During the visit, we will consider the issue of how we can help the city meet the Euro 2012 preparation deadlines. In particular, we're to visit Lviv Airport and its stadium. In general, from the point of view of business cooperation, Lviv is of significant interest to Belgian companies. and we'll be encouraging the expansion of those ties. However, we're not just focusing on Lviv. We're also interested in its nearby cities and towns. Therefore, we've invited the mayors and heads of other cities and towns of the region to attend that event. Among our delegates will be Alain Courtois, who is supervising the preparation of the bid by Belgium to host the European football championship in 2018. He will conduct a workshop for representatives of the local authorities. Q.: Are similar conferences planned in other Ukrainian cities? A.: We've only received an invitation from Lviv's authorities, but if we're invited by other cities, such as Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kyiv, we'll make a contribution to their preparations with pleasure, [and] provide our expertise. In particular, a Belgian delegation has already visited Kyiv in connection with the issue of the stadium's safety, and an exchange of experience is planned. These positions are supported at the level of foreign ministers. Q.: In what way is Belgium ready to help Ukraine prepare for hosting Euro 2012? A.: We very much want to see the championship being held in Ukraine at a high level. We're ready to mobilize our experts, our knowledge, if there is an inquiry from the Ukrainian side. For example, [if] there is a company that's building a stadium, and it needs additional experience, we're ready to offer our expertise. What Ukraine needs today is to be active in sending such inquiries. We have sufficient knowledge and technical [experience] in preparing for and holding championships at this level, and are ready to provide Ukraine with our technical assistance, our expertise, in such aspects as safety, the preparation of stadiums, and the arrangement of similar events. We're ready to help cities, local authorities, the Football Federation of Ukraine and others on whom the success of the championship in Ukraine depends. In addition, we're ready to hold workshops in the host cities. Q.: What Belgian companies are taking part in Ukraine's preparation for Euro 2012 now? A.: Some companies are already working on Ukraine's market today. For example, Belgium's Reynaers produces architectural aluminium systems in Ukraine. This company is one of the bidders for the supply of such systems for Boryspil Airport's new terminal. Moreover, Belgium's Vatra Schreder has invested funds in the production of public lighting systems in Ukraine. This company is a bidder for the supply of lighting system in the cities which could host Euro 2012. Belgium's ADB Alfa is currently engaged in projects at Donetsk Airport, and I hope that some of our companies will also be hired by other airports as part of the development and extension of runways, and the construction of new runways. Today these companies are investing assets in Ukraine, as they see great potential in the country's hosting Euro 2012. Moreover, Ukraine recently hosted a conference on agricultural logistics, during which Belgian companies shared their experience in promoting the system of logistics in agriculture, and some Belgian companies are interested in the development in Ukraine of river transportation, which is oriented towards farm produce. Q.: Is Ukraine's hospitality sector interesting to Belgian companies? A.: There have not yet been any significant investments by our companies in that segment in Ukraine. I think Ukraine should analyze how to promote its hospitality sector. In my opinion, the development of that segment should be coordinated with the stable development of the tourism sector in the country. There is quite a serious discrepancy when a city with a great tourist potential, such as Lviv, risks not being included on the list of Euro 2012 host cities. From the point of view of other cities, let's say Kyiv, the tourist potential is not sufficiently utilized. Perhaps, this is one of the major reasons why we don't see large investment in the hospitality sector. Moreover, today there are not enough low-cost flights to Ukraine. Traveling to Ukraine is still quite expensive; therefore we'd call on Ukraine to open its skies to lots of budget airlines. Q.: Could you please say what the essence of the technical assistance to Ukraine from Belgium is? A.: Belgium is a country with the highest safety [standards] inside and outside stadiums. We have the know-how of private companies that create systems for managing fans at the stadium, building separating barriers to prevent clashes among rival fans and guard barriers around the stadium related to the management of people flows during matches. On the other hand, we have great experience at our law-enforcement agencies on how to control large numbers of fans during such significant events. Regarding the essence of our technical assistance, we offer to share our experience - to transfer our knowledge. Late in January and early in February 2010 we'll hold a workshop in Kyiv during which our experts will share their experience.