KIEV, August 9 (Itar-Tass) - Ukraine’s policy to European integration does not envision economic growth, leader of the public movement “Ukrainian Choice” Viktor Medvedchuk said on Friday.
“If Europe is not planning GDP growth in the long-term period and if it tends to decrease it, such policy is not fatal for it. In fact, it has to compromise any social guarantees: to rise the pension age, to reinforce the exploitation of migrants - they have nowhere to run, let’s look at what has happened in the Middle East and Africa. Thus, Europe will survive even after there is no growth for decades,” Medvedchuk said, adding that Ukraine was not ready for such restrictions.
Meanwhile, Ukraine needs the growth and “not by 1-2%, but by 5-6%. This means that the country survives. Too much should be done and too much funding is indispensable to finance the state sectors. I don’t say how many people in Ukraine are on the brink of being survived. The economic situation has an impact on them. One can move back when all is smooth. But at the moment the gap is behind us and it is very easy to fall down and no European values can help you”, the lawyer said.
In addition, he said Ukraine had all chances to leap forward. “There are arguments proving that Ukraine can take part in the work of the Customs Union. This will allow it to restore and develop the economy. But this move irritates supporters of European integration. They are likely to make up a plan to utilize the country in exchange for villas in the Mediterranean. That is why it is rather difficult to agree that at the last moment the patient can realize the events and run away,” Medvedchuk said.
Ukraine hopes to sign the Association Agreement with the EU at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius. The Ukrainian Choice movement believes that several provisions of the Agreement run counter the Ukrainian Constitution.