UKRAINE:UKRAINE'S AMBASSADOR to Ireland has played down concerns that the collapse of the country's ruling coalition could further destabilise a region already tense following the crisis in Georgia, writes Mary Fitzgerald, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko yesterday threatened to dissolve parliament and call a snap election after ministers from his party withdrew from the cabinet in protest following the introduction of new laws curbing the president's powers. The laws were introduced by the pro-Russian opposition and backed by prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko's party.
Ms Tymoshenko accused the president of "irresponsible" behaviour and vowed the cabinet would continue its work despite the collapse of the coalition.
Ambassador Borys Bazylevskyi said the developments were akin to growing pangs.
"Ukraine is a young democracy. What we are witnessing now shows that the construction of democratic power is still improving . . .
"We don't have decades of democratic development, the country only reappeared 17 years ago. I would say [Ukraine] is like a teenager, with all those characteristics.
"The prime minister stated this morning that the government shall continue to work . . . What the next developments will be, we shall see."
Mr Bazylevskyi also played down speculation that Russia has its sights on Ukraine's strategic Crimea peninsula on the Black Sea. Last week French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner suggested Russia might now "target" Ukraine.
"There is a lot of speculation and the atmosphere is very tense. But officially, Russian leaders state that they recognise the territorial integrity of Ukraine and that Crimea itself is an integrated part of Ukraine - that latter statement was made by Russia's prime minister Putin . . . Such statements are welcome," the ambassador said.
"What is a matter of concern is the fact there are some politicians in Russia that still play dangerously with the possibility of creating a Russia-Ukrainian conflict.
"I think every sober politician understands that that would be very dangerous not just for the European continent but for the whole world."
Mr Bazylevskyi said Ukraine was awaiting the meeting of Nato foreign ministers in December during which Membership Action Plan (MAP) status for the country will be decided on.
"The latest developments in the Caucasus have increased the number of those who are in favour of Ukraine joining Nato . . . There is a feeling that instability in the region could be avoided only under the umbrella of the well-developed collective security system."
The ambassador said he was keen to develop bilateral ties between Ukraine and Ireland.
"The economic relations are good but I am not completely satisfied with them because they do not address the potential of our two countries," he said.
A Ukrainian business delegation is due to visit Ireland next month to explore opportunities for further trade and investment.