Siegfried Muresan: “If Ukraine is stable, it signifies that there is a lot of similar stability in Romania and other members of the EU”

Siegfried Muesian is the Vice-chair of the European People’s Party Group in the European Parliament. During the joint Ukrainian Dialogue event by Aspen Institute Kyiv and Aspen Institute Romania, he spoke about the development of Ukrainian-European relations. 

During the Aspen Institute Kyiv and Aspen Institute Romania joint Ukrainian Dialogue event, Siegfried Muresan underlined that everyone in Europe understands that defending Ukraine means defending themselves. If Ukraine is stable and creates prosperity, it signifies that there is a lot of similar stability in Romania and other member states of the European Union 

Autocratic Russia is a threat for the security of Europe 

Siegfried Muresan noted that people should understand that as long as there will be an autocratic regime in Russia, it will be a threat for the security of Europe and each of its countries.

— The autocratic regime in Russia needs enemies, thus leading to wars to justify their existence. As a result, they will be imperialistic and aggressive. We need to stay united. To keep this unity we need to ensure that people are properly informed about the dangers and threats coming from Russia such as tackling fake news, disinformation and propaganda. 

EU countries should help Ukraine implement reforms to make the country attractive for potential investments

Siegfried Muresan said that institutions of the European Union are already thinking of the Marshall Plan for Ukraine. At the same time the European Union alone will not be able to fund it. 

— The European Union can use its expertise, tools and mechanisms to create the framework. It will provide part of the funding as well but it will have to be everyone around public money. Also, we should try to trigger as much private investment as possible. In order for private investment to find Ukraine attractive, letting Ukraine join the single market is one thing which could be very very useful. Additionally, of course, it will be reforming Ukraine: cutting retail, reducing bureaucracy, strengthening the rule of law and improving the competitiveness of the economy. 

Siegfried is sure that EU countries have to help Ukraine implement these reforms once the war is over so that the country becomes attractive for potential investments. 

Aspen Institute Kyiv launched the #UkrainianDialogue project in cooperation with Aspen Network international partners. Its goal is to create a platform for leadership dialogue between Ukrainians who fight for democratic values and other countries’ representatives that support Ukraine.

Listen to the podcast #UkrainianDialogue:

•  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn0MzvR4Zfg 
• Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3LPZRdw
• Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3NGFq45
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sXF8Of