H.E. Leszek Hensel: Crimean Referendum Dictated by Force

Novinite Insider » DIPLOMATIC CHANNEL | Author: Vasil Stefanov |April 4, 2014, Friday // 13:50
Bulgaria: H.E. Leszek Hensel: Crimean Referendum Dictated by Force

Interview of Novinite.com with Poland's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Leszek Hensel, on the situation in Ukraine, the European Union, and Poland's economic transition.

Poland has been very active in the diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis. With Crimea's decision to join Russia, can we say that the EU's diplomatic strategy failed?

Our position is clear. Crimea's decision to join Russia was not freely made, but a result of Russia's military intervention on the sovereign territory of Ukraine. A referendum, which was dictated under the pressure of foreign armed forces, cannot be seen as legitimate.

In its position regarding Crimea, Russia referred to the case of Kosovo. It is worth noting, that in the case for Kosovo at the International Court in the Hague, Russia was among the countries advocating for a very limited applicability of the "right to self-determination" principle. Thus, Russia denied itself the right to use such an argument in the case of Crimea.

Looking at all this, we cannot speak of a failed EU strategy.

Are you worried that the events in Crimea could set a precedent for similar crises in other post-Soviet states?

I believe that any political act, which puts into question the internationally recognized borders established after the war, poses a threat and sets a dangerous precedent. It is regrettable that concepts like redrawing borders, annexation, and aggression, which pertain to a past era, are still present in today's geopolitics.

We cannot exclude the possibility that the Russian-speaking minorities can be used in the future to create similar scenarios, not just in Ukraine. We are currently witnessing a very strong media offensive on the part of Russia. Let us not forget, that this is a country recently ranked 148th among 170 nations in media freedom from Reporters Without Borders.

As such, we must carefully prepare our reactions, to address adequately the reality of the situation. I am getting more and more concerns from different countries, who see the need to return to the times of "realpolitik".

EU states have been divided on their positions for sanctions against Russia. Are we likely to see a common stance on this at the end?

In a recent interview for German "Bild", our Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that "sanctions against Russia are like a nuclear weapon – they are good to use as a threat, but not in action". However, with its behavior, Russia has not left the European Union with much choice.

The EU is a democratic body, and it is natural that there would be differing positions, on Crimea, as on any other topic. However, on the last European Council meeting, the EU adopted a common decision for the freezing of assets and travel bans against those responsible for the aggression on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. I remind that Bulgaria is one of the countries that accepted the sanctions against Russia.

What needs to be done to reconcile relations between the West and Russia?

First and foremost, Russia must pull its troops out of Crimea, and Ukraine's territorial integrity must be restored. After that, Moscow must accept the democratically elected leadership of Ukraine (in the upcoming elections) and support the process of a system change in its neighboring country. This is very much in the interest of the local Russian-speaking community as well, since they will be part of this change.

Russia must not treat Ukraine's political agreement with the EU as a threat. On the contrary, it can be used to bridge EU-Russia relations. Stabilizing Ukraine and its economic potential is in the interest of Russia as well.

We hope that in the nearest future, an observers' mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will be allowed to assess the situation and the reasons for the eruption of the conflict in Ukraine. Its importance was also outlined in this weeks' meeting of the Weimer Triangle's foreign ministers (France, Germany, Poland).

Poland has been hailed as the role model for a successful economic transition in the post-Communist era. What do you attribute this to?

This was made possible in the early 90s, when the model of market economy was introduced with huge public support, triggering the mechanism of competition in the economy. Paradoxically, the crisis of the late 90s was instrumental in bringing about the necessary reforms. There was much concern, especially among the agrarians, that Poland would not be competitive enough with regards to its western partners. We began investing more actively in agriculture, although the biggest investments came after joining the EU, in 2004. As a result of this, Poland is currently the 6th biggest food producer in the EU.

The opportunity to use European funds has contributed greatly, for the modernization of Poland, and for its infrastructure. EU membership has also attracted major foreign capital and technologies. According to a UNCTAD report, Poland will be the 4th most attractive economy in Europe and 14th in the world by 2015. In 2012, when Europe saw a 2.8% decline in its economy, Poland registered a 20% increase in investment projects compared to the year before.

Poland's success relies on political stability in the country, highly educated and competent workforce, youth, and a big internal market. In times of economic recession around the world, Poland was able to establish its position firmly in the region and throughout the continent, with one of the highest economic growths.

Europe has been struggling with several years of economic recession and growing unemployment. Have the international strategies in resolving the crisis been adequate?

I find that it is not Poland's job to assess the methods of other EU countries in dealing with the economic and financial crisis. It is worth noting that the crisis and the threats to the banking system have led politicians to take measures for deepening European integration, something that is having a positive effect.

The Solidarity Movement was emblematic for Poland's transition. Is Europe in need of "solidarity" at the moment?

The Solidarity Movement was able to unite around 10 million Poles behind the idea of change, of liberating the country from the previous system. This June, we mark 25 years from the first free elections, which also paved the way for change in the whole region. The idea of solidarity is bigger than any civil movement, and we see how significant its meaning is every day. As one of the emblematic figures in the movement, the late Zbigniew Romaszewski once said, "solidarity is not a word, it is a value". It is the basis of the European Union, and the mechanism of distributing financial resources, through which countries like Poland and Bulgaria can narrow their civilizational differences with other parts of Europe.

Energy solidarity is one of the concepts that Poland addressed during its rotational presidency of the EU in 2011. The Russia-Ukraine gas crisis in 2009 as well as the current situation in the region, prove that Europe is in desperate need of a unified energy policy, unified infrastructure, and full diversification of the energy sources. Our Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced last week that Poland will propose the creation of an energy union within the EU, which would be based exactly on the principle of solidarity, in the case of a gas shortage.

The idea of solidarity must also involve countries which the EU is cooperating with. Without it, it would be hard to imagine how they can conduct effective reforms. In this respect, the European Endowment for Democracy was created, with the initiative of Poland. Bulgaria actively supports this project, for which we are extremely grateful.

Are you optimistic about the future of the European Union and the Eurozone? Should this be a time for their expansion or rather a time for consolidation?

When you build a skyscraper or a huge bridge, you must be optimistic that the construction is stable and can endure extreme conditions. The EU is not expansionist. Its enlargement was of a political, economic, and even historic character, and this was prepared for many years. There is no room for improvisation here – in order to enter the EU, you have to be mature for it. Thus, enlargement should not exclude consolidation. Both processes can be done simultaneously, with the full participation of all member states.

What are some main areas of cooperation between Poland and Bulgaria at the moment and do you envision any new major projects in your bilateral relations?

In 2012, there was an opportunity for a serious investment in Bulgaria. The employees, however, did not accept the candidate, fearing for their job security. The project failed, the plant had to close down, and nobody was able to keep their job. Personally, I am quite disappointed from this, since the investor was stable and trustworthy.

As a Polish Ambassador, I am happy about the increased Polish capital in Bulgaria. It is opening new jobs. It is good to work carefully, step by step in building partnerships.

The current Polish investments in Bulgaria exceed EUR 130 M. They have increased 100% from 2007. In 2013, trade between our countries was worth EUR 1.1 B, which is double the 2009 value. Maintaining these tendencies for the future will be a priority in our bilateral relations. Meanwhile, if we manage to realize any big projects, so much the better.

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Tags: EU, Donald Tusk, Poland, Russia, Crimea, Ukraine, Leszek Hensel

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