“Ukraine-NATO” Information Desk Opened

The inauguration of “Ukraine-NATO” information desk was carried out on February 28 in ZNU Library by ZNU Rector Sergiy Tymchenko, First Vice-Rector Fedir Turchenko, Director of ZNU Library Valentyna Gerasymova and guests of our university – Michel Duray, Director of NATO Information and Documentation Center in Ukraine, George Kent, political counselor of US Embassy in Ukraine, and Sergiy Dzherdzh, representative of All-Ukrainian Fund “Demokratychna Diya”.

While presenting his speech, Sergiy Tymchenko many times emphasized the idea, that our university is a valid member in the process of Ukraine’s European integration.

There also was “State And Prospects Of Ukraine-NATO Collaboration” round-table discussion held. Lecturers and students of ZNU faculties of History and Journalism were disputing for about two hours. Michel Duray, Belgian by origin, told in pure Ukrainian language, that his main aim is to be the source of objective information. The fact is that Ukrainian people are still under the influence of myths about NATO, that originated in Soviet times. They got used to perceive it as an aggressive military bloc, traditionally hostile to the peoples of former USSR, though it’s not true at present. The guest also stressed that democratic values, freedom and global security are the most important things today. Civilized peoples should solve modern problems jointly. No one makes Ukraine join NATO by force, people’s will is above all. But even if the Ukrainians express their will to join NATO today, it wouldn’t be easy, because the countries that are members of this organization must conform to definite level of economic, political and social development, corresponding to European requirements.

There are 26 members of NATO today, 40 per cent or which are the countries from former Socialistic bloc. The possibility of Croatia, Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine and Georgia’s joining the bloc is to be considered in 2008. Such an opportunity seems to be a good stimulus for their development.   

Many questions were asked during the round-table discussion, including those about future relations between Ukraine and Russia if our country joins NATO, possible reaction of the Muslim world, and about the possibility of turning out country into the field for the battle against world terrorism.