Anka Feldhusen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Ukraine, gave an interview to the news video project Kyiv Not Kiev. She spoke about the European integration prospects of Ukraine, about the attitude towards the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2, reforms in our country and so on. publishes the highlights of the conversation.
About Ukraine in the European Union
"Ukraine will become a member of the European Union. However, Ukraine, unlike North Macedonia, is a much bigger piece for the EU to swallow."
Anka Feldhusen
Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine
Feldgusen also congratulated our country for changing the approach to EU membership that became more pragmatic and added that the main goal of Ukraine should not be membership, but reforms.
About reforms in Ukraine
According to the Ambassador, since the Maidan (2014), much has been achieved in Ukraine, but "it could have been more and could have been faster."
"Ukrainians have a unique capacity to shoot themselves in the foot. War, of course, takes up a lot of state money, but the lack of justice, strategic thinking and oligarchic system influence the course of reforms much more than military actions," she says.
Feldhusen also adds that during her stay in Ukraine, she did not notice any progress in the fight against the oligarchs.
"Please, be employers. Large employers. Pay your people well. Develop new economic fields, but please, get out of politics. "
Anka Feldhusen
Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine
About Nord Stream 2
According to the Ambassador, the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 is the main stumbling block in bilateral relations. She says that the project was improperly communicated about, and therefore countries such as Ukraine and Poland are dissatisfied with it.
"Since Germany is now reducing the amount of consumed coal and nuclear energy in favor of gas, this will allow to fill both the Ukraine’s gas pipeline and perhaps Nord Stream 2 too. If it is ever built to the end," she added.
About G7 Ambassadors
"I am glad we are having an ongoing dialogue with the Ukrainian government. We are a good mirror for the Ukrainian government and the President to see if they are going in the right direction or not."
Anka Feldhusen
Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine
About tourism development
Feldgusen noted that Ukraine should actively develop a tourist destination, since it can be a perfect place for travel. "Especially when with the pandemic, Europeans are looking for closer distances," she summarized.