The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU took part
in the discussion “Prediction of the future of democracy” of the 27th
conference of Forum 2000.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze recalled the words of EU High Representative
Josep Borrell, who noted that the old world order is no longer there. The
world is moving towards autocracies. Sometimes in democratic countries,
these autocracies are dressed in democratic costumes. The world is
shifting towards right-wing radicalism. But despite all this, as the EU's
chief diplomat noted, it is impossible to exchange values for material
things — for food, electricity, energy sources and social security. Values
and material things should go hand in hand.
The Chair of the Committee thanked everyone who has been standing next to
Ukraine it its fight against the enemy. “I also want to remind you that we
have been ringing the bell since 2014, warning that values must be fought
for. They may not be taken for granted. They must be defended.
Unfortunately, we were not heard. Perhaps listened to, but not heard.
That's why I'm glad that the world has woken up and understands that we
must resist autocracies and protect the right of free countries to defend
themselves and their values and define their future,” said Ivanna
Klympush-Tsintsadze. At the same time, according to her, democratic states
should remain committed. There is war fatigue and a certain shift of
attention towards everyday problems. “But we have to understand that if we
do not protect basic values, there will be nothing to build. Other social
values are a consequence and an advantage of democracy, and not the other
way around,” said the Chair of the Committee. When everyone is discussing
fatigue, according to her, Ukrainians simply have no right to be tired,
because they must fight to exist, to survive and to have a future.
“Yesterday, a foreign colleague told me that he is tired, but he gets
extra energy from Ukrainians. Well, it is not easy for us. Because our
lives, the lives of the nation, the lives of each of us and our families
are at stake. To achieve success, we must simultaneously carry out reforms
and fight for the support of Ukraine,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
She insisted that the free world should give a strong rebuff to those who
encroach on the very foundations of democracy. Sometimes it is a
technological counteroffensive, sometimes it is an economic or a military
one. “We should not be afraid. There is a thin line when democracies show
weakness, believing that they can achieve something through negotiations
and convincing those who do not need and do not hear any arguments.
Therefore, it is about our strength and readiness to defend what we
believe in,” said the Chair of the Committee.