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Czech Republic - Ukraine an important partner in Europe, country, home to a huge Ukrainian community. Today, relations between states in various fields develop incrementally. Only three months of this year, trade volume increased by a third compared to last year. On the prospects of economic, political dialogue and humanitarian plane in an interview told UKRINFORM Ambassador of Ukraine in the Czech Republic Yevhen Perebiynis.
Turnover for the quarter increased by a third
- Mr. Ambassador, recently held a meeting in Kiev, Ukrainian-Czech intergovernmental joint commission on economic, industrial, scientific and technical cooperation and business forum. You were there. What are the main results of this meeting?
- This meeting was the first in 5 years. It was an extremely important step that gave us a chance after a long break identify areas that we will continue to move in terms of intensification of trade and economic cooperation.
After my visit to Prague in late February, one of the main goals was to revive the work of the bilateral intergovernmental commission. I am glad that it was done very quickly. In addition, we increased the level of the presidency to Vice Prime Minister Ukrainian side and the Czech (formerly commission headed by deputy ministers). This enables a more efficient implementation of the decisions taken.
They discussed a huge range of issues of trade and economic plan - cooperation in finance, energy, including nuclear; Interaction in the direction of energy efficiency in industry and agriculture, transport, science and technology, education and tourism. In particular, we agreed to work on the opening of direct rail link between the two countries. Ukraine proposes to use our Czech gas storage and oil transportation capabilities, including the Caspian.
It is important to develop interregional cooperation. A good example here is the interaction between the Vysočina and Transcarpathian Liberec Region and Vinnitsa regions.
- What are we now turnover rates? What are the major bilateral projects can be called?
- Positive trends currently demonstrates how Ukrainian economy and Czech. This provides a good basis for enhancing bilateral trade, which now is on an ascending trajectory. If the 2014-15 biennium. Trade performance suffered severe recession, in 2016. It has grown by almost 20% to more than 1.2 billion dollars. This Ukrainian exports amounted to 560 million (an increase of almost 4%) and imports - 654 million (an increase of 36%).
But if we look at trade three months of the year, we will see a better trend: turnover for the period amounted to 315 million USD., Which is 32% more compared to the same period last year. And, very nice, Ukrainian exports compared with three months in 2016 increased by 40%.
There is great interest in Ukraine by Czech investors. One of the most successful examples - Skoda Auto, which has Eurocar plant in Transcarpathia. We call on the Czech business investment to continue to cooperate, create other businesses in Ukraine.
In the Czech Republic there is a serious shortage of manpower, according to some estimates - 150,000 jobs. So here there is a program to attract Ukrainian workers, skills and hard work in the Czech Republic are very appreciated. Czech entrepreneurs But I always say, if you open their production in Ukraine and Ukrainian offer comparable wages in their homeland, they all benefit from this. I hope that soon we will see new such projects.
- As for the political arena? It has long been announced visit to Ukraine Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka. Does it happen?
- In general, since the end of 2016 the first five ministers visited the Czech Ukraine: Culture, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Industry and Trade.
The question about the visit of the Prime Minister on the agenda. But now, as the Czechs outside the campaign period, it is obvious that the parliamentary elections to be held in October, the visit will likely not take place. But hopefully it will happen soon after the formation of a new Czech government.
In early July, Ukraine plans to visit the head of the Czech Parliament. Czech Republic marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle Zboriv, so he visited the Assembly in Ternopil region to take part in memorial events. There, in 1917 there was a famous battle, which was the first battle involving the Czechoslovak Legion, which actually then played an important role in the creation of an independent Czechoslovak state.
HUGE LOSS OF SANCTIONS FROM EU - is an exaggeration
- Czech approaching elections. It turned out that this is where all the states of the European Union is not the most active work to counter Russian propaganda. Is it minimizes the risk of interference in the Moscow elections in the country this year?
In the Czech Interior Ministry created a hybrid unit counter threats and information
- Recently, as among Czech non-governmental organizations and the government, there is awareness of the seriousness of the situation and the need to take measures against Russian propaganda and even hybrid impacts and threats. In particular, the Interior Ministry set up an appropriate division counter information and hybrid threats.
The ongoing contacts between the respective Czech and Ukrainian experts at various levels to share experiences, because Ukraine was actually the first victim of these hybrid threats, including information.
This cooperation between Ukraine and the EU countries, efforts to develop common countermeasures extremely important and will continue.
- And on the level of the republic? President Miloš Zeman has repeatedly advocated statements that are anything but pro-Ukrainian ...
To his credit, the Czech government - he carefully monitors compliance with sanctions against Russia
- In the Czech Republic for the implementation of foreign policy meets the government's position is regarding the territorial integrity of Ukraine and our struggle against Russian aggression is a clear and uncompromising. On all these issues we feel the unequivocal support of the Czech Republic both at bilateral level and within international organizations.
As for the statements of some Czech politicians who go contrary to the official position of the EU on Ukraine, we will always respond to them, explain our position related to the Russian occupation of Crimea, its aggressive actions in eastern Ukraine.
- What is today's position on sanctions Prague? Have heard "suffering" of losing them to the Czech economy?
The assertion that the European economy does not fall apart after tomorrow sanctions against Russia and its antysanktsiyi - Myth Russian propaganda
- The Czech government has consistently supported imposed against Russia within the EU and other international organizations penalties for violating its territorial integrity of Ukraine and international law. To his credit, the Czech government - he carefully monitors compliance with sanctions and believes that talk of any repeal will only be possible after Russia fulfill Minsk agreements Crimea and Ukraine back under control.
Generally, it is to put it mildly, an exaggeration, Russian propaganda myth that the European economy does not fall apart after tomorrow sanctions against Russia and its antysanktsiyi. The negative impact of sanctions on the Czech economy certainly is, but it is quite small. Czech business have long been able to adapt to the situation and is actively seeking new markets.
- Cz ech Republic chairs the Committee of Ministers. What kind of support can count Kyiv here?
- Indeed, in the next six months, from May to November, the Czech Presidency of the Council of Europe. Last month in Prague held bilateral consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers, during which we discussed with the Czech side of its priorities, including a focus on the situation in Ukraine on human rights in the occupied territories of Russia. We hope that this issue will provide the Czech presidency due attention.
Also important is the role of the Czech Republic in preparation of a new action plan for Ukraine in the Council of Europe. Overall I have to say that our cooperation with the Council of Europe in Prague is very constructive.
Workers are often victims of unscrupulous employers
- More than two weeks have passed since the introduction of visa-free regime. In the Czech press sometimes express concerns about a possible increase in the number of illegal Ukrainian workers in the Czech Republic. What kind of "preventive measures" can be taken, in order to prevent this?
- The situation of workers is not related to visa-free. He just works really well.
On the issue of illegal employment of Ukrainian in the Czech Republic, then it is primarily about people who enter the Czech Republic with Polish work permit. Czech police and immigration Think of this as a breach of EU law. I must say that the Ukrainian citizens are not illegal immigrants. They get absolutely the EU legally but then become victims of unscrupulous agents, employers that they say that working with Polish permits in the Czech Republic is not against the law.
We maintain close contact with the relevant Czech authorities to ensure that their efforts are primarily focused on punishing those unscrupulous intermediaries who push Ukrainian citizens to do so, rather than Ukrainian, who often do not realize that doing something illegal.
In the second half of June in Kiev held consular consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, which, in particular, and discussed this issue. We are interested to Ukrainian system of employment was as a clear and simple so that you can minimize the possibility that when this "warm hands" any kind of intermediaries.
How to prevent? Strengthening advocacy. Such work among our people conduct themselves and work closely in this area with the Czech side, including diplomatic and consular offices of the Czech Republic in Ukraine.
- But sometimes conducted raids and detain our compatriots ...
- From time to time raid by the Czech police, aimed at identifying those who work illegally held. We from the Czech side there is a very good cooperation, we immediately report the detention of our citizens for violations of migration regime. We make sure that their rights are not violated, if necessary assist in returning home. Despite not what these cases are, it really is not a mass phenomenon. In recent weeks seen reduction in the number of seizures.
Basically, the Czech side does not consider Ukraine as a serious risk after migration visa-free regime. If certain media this topic in this regard and sounded, the beginning of the visa-free regime has proved that such fears are totally unfounded. The first days of visa-free have shown that the number of Ukrainian who come to the Czech Republic, if increased, very slightly. When crossing the border does not arise any problems, namely registration is almost a minute.
Visa-free regime - an opportunity for Ukrainian travel worthy, civilized, as do citizens of other countries. This is especially important for young people.
UKRAINIAN community in the Czech Republic - the largest of all other communities
- How many Ukrainian students studying in the Czech Republic?
- Approximately 4000. Czech Republic - a very popular destination for Ukrainian students. Learning Czech language is free.
It should be noted that the Czech Republic is now one of the most active countries that provide us with assistance in reforming education. This assistance applies to borrowing Czech experience appropriate, financial assistance to move the university from the occupied territories to the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government and others.
- Some countries are invited to treat soldiers ATO. Does Czech participation in these projects?
- Recently, the Czech Government has decided to allocate funds to treat the wounded Ukrainian soldiers, as announced Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic Martin Stropnitskyy during his visit to Ukraine in May.
- Ukrainian community in the Czech Republic - the largest of all the other communities. Is Ukrainian unison living in the Czech Republic?
The largest by the number of national minorities in the Czech Republic - Ukrainian - about 120 thousand
- Ukrainians living in the Czech Republic are members of several waves of emigration. There are so-called classical diaspora - the descendants of those who came to Czechoslovakia in 1920-30's. There are people who came in the early 1990s, some of them have become citizens of the Czech Republic. There is a new wave of even difficult to call the diaspora, because it is the citizens of Ukraine who have a residence permit in the Czech Republic. There are now about 120,000. This - the largest number of minorities in the country. And if we add another Ukrainian those who are citizens of the Czech Republic, it can be up to 170 thousand.
Ukrainian organizations in the Czech Republic much more than 30. We have recently reanimated Coordination Council of heads of Ukrainian organizations. It meets periodically at the Embassy to discuss the most important issues that unite all Ukrainian living in the Czech Republic.
I think the atmosphere in the Diaspora is quite constructive. Of course, there are issues where some organizations do not agree with each other, but the strategic issues combining virtually no differences.
Olga Tanasiichuk , Prague
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