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DO NOT FALL FOR THE TRAP OF A 'NO' WITH THE DUTCH REFERENDUM.
The international agreement proposed by the EU with certain countries is mainly focused on far reaching cooperation, economic cooperation and strengthening trade relations. All this should lead to more prosperity and stability for the people in Ukraine and Europe. Everything else that has been published or which has been discussed does not answer reality.
As the date of the advisory referendum approaches, the more attention to Ukraine and to the setup of the Netherlands is given. The yes or no is sometimes fiercely fought by groups. Recently it revealed that the initiators of the advisory referendum are not at all interested in the Ukraine, but in an exit of the Netherlands from the EU and in a thorough restoration of our democracy. Anyway, for Ukraine arises slowly but surely a moment to steer the country toward greater freedoms, less corruption and more opportunities.
Young students from Ukraine born after 1990 , who recently visited the Netherlands, spoke to experience ever less freedom and want to build a country with strong institutions and less corruption. Together with other participants from different countries, many themes passed and was even sung a song. Let therefore arise movements which can let succeed the wanted and necessary change.
The NEXUS Institute too organized a symposium about the events taking place around Ukraine. Some great speakers ensured a dynamic and sometimes intense discussion: Eugene Czolij (lawyer and President of Ukrainian World Congress), Pavlo Klimkin (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine), Ivan Krastev (political scientist), John Laughland (philosopher), Natalia Narochnitskaya (Russian historian, former Duma member), Ivan Vejvoda (expert of European integration) and Harry van Bommel (politician) were invited to discuss.
Dutch citizens vote in a consultative referendum on the Association Agreement between the European Union and the Ukraine on April 6. The discussion is heated. In Brussels, the EU keeps a close eye on the outcome in the Dutch referendum. At stake is not only a trade union and closer cooperation between these two parties, but also the relations between member states within the EU. Is this referendum not actually a turning point, a battle for the future of Europe?
Opponents of the treaty with Ukraine consider it an undemocratic attempt to increase the power of the EU. In their eyes, the EU is a bureaucratic monster that gradually threatens the sovereignty of its member states while simultaneously robbing them. They turn their backs to the EU, reject the transfer of sovereign power to Brussels and withdraw behind clearly defined national boundaries. Proponents of the agreement emphasize the need to stand together within Europe in order to ensure security, stability and economic prosperity for all European citizens. Without dismissing the need for questioning the current EU, they still see it as the best way to reinforce European cooperation and values such as peace, civil rights, solidarity and prosperity – values that must be accessible to everyone.
Where do Europe’s borders actually lie? Are these borders geographically, historically or culturally defined? Is further expansion of the EU necessary, and what is the role of America and Russia? ‘The Battle for Europe’ presents a lively debate between euro critics and euro lovers, between supporters and opponents of rapprochement with Ukraine and allows you to discuss with thinkers and politicians of international standing about the fundamental problem underlying the Dutch Referendum: What kind of Europe do we want?
- Narochnitskaya: 'The worst has already happened with respect to the relationship between Russia and the Ukraine';
- Kimklin:'As a Ukrainian, you have a simple choice: Dependency on Russian influence or setting your own agenda? I chose the last';
- Czolij: 'Why should we not welcome a country the size of France into the EU? Ukraine wants to embrace European values. Let them';
- Krastev: ‘If the EU is going to commit suicide, the weapon of choice is the referendum';
- Vejvoda: 'We should heed nationalistic tendencies, inspired by some warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling of being OK when with our own'. |
Events in and around Ukraine has become a pivot for geopolitical game. The main question, about transforming Ukraine, is thereby lost sight. Can 'Finlandization' contribute to a solution, which means that a country decides not to challenge a more powerful neighbour in foreign politics, while maintaining national sovereignty? There is after all a powerful country that strongly influences the policies of a smaller neighboring country, while allowing it to keep its independence and its own political system.
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