By Orkhan Sattarov, the head of the European Bureau of Vestnik Kavkaza
On November 5, German experts held a panel discussion about the recent parliamentary polls in Ukraine. The talks were moderated by German expert on post-Soviet space Stefan Meister. Member of the delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine Hans Schreiber and Bundestag member Franz Thonnes were the guests at the meeting.
Hans Schreiber gave the Ukrainian government approval for reforming the country. However, he criticized it for rescinding the law on peculiarities of self-governance in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The expert noted the importance of political dialogue with the Opposition Bloc, which has firm positions in the east of Ukraine.
The head of the delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine emphasized the importance of constitutional reform in the country, especially the judicial system and prosecution services. In his words, the current system does not encourage independence of the judicial system. The diplomat believes that Ukraine needs to balance the authority of the president and the parliament to prevent the fate of the “orange movement.” As a long-term threat to security and stability in the European Union, Schreiber pointed out organized crime in Donetsk and complained that there were problems in disbanding and disarming militia.
Franz Thonnes of the Bundestag confirmed the position of the German government expressed at the NATO summit in Wales: Ukraine cannot join NATO. He explained that the philosophy of the alliance rules out countries with unsettled territorial conflicts joining the club.
Franz Thonnes rules out Kiev’s membership of NATOBy Orkhan Sattarov, the head of the European Bureau of Vestnik KavkazaOn November 5, German experts held a panel discussion about the recent parliamentary polls in Ukraine. The talks were moderated by German expert on post-Soviet space Stefan Meister. Member of the delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine Hans Schreiber and Bundestag member Franz Thonnes were the guests at the meeting.Hans Schreiber gave the Ukrainian government approval for reforming the country. However, he criticized it for rescinding the law on peculiarities of self-governance in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The expert noted the importance of political dialogue with the Opposition Bloc, which has firm positions in the east of Ukraine.The head of the delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine emphasized the importance of constitutional reform in the country, especially the judicial system and prosecution services. In his words, the current system does not encourage independence of the judicial system. The diplomat believes that Ukraine needs to balance the authority of the president and the parliament to prevent the fate of the “orange movement.” As a long-term threat to security and stability in the European Union, Schreiber pointed out organized crime in Donetsk and complained that there were problems in disbanding and disarming militia.Franz Thonnes of the Bundestag confirmed the position of the German government expressed at the NATO summit in Wales: Ukraine cannot join NATO. He explained that the philosophy of the alliance rules out countries with unsettled territorial conflicts joining the cl
