The crisis in Ukraine demonstrates that EU enlargement by ten countries in 2004 and further additions to the current 28-member bloc has been a meaningful and important move, European Parliament President Martin Schulz told journalists on the side lines of the celebrations marking the tenth anniversary of Slovakia's joining the EU on Wednesday night in Bratislava.
“What could have happened, if we had said ‘no’?” asked Schulz, pointing to the turmoil in Ukraine that resulted after the then president Viktor Yanukovych’s government in November decided not to sign the association treaty with the EU. The German socialist said that when it comes to Russia, not only sanctions but also diplomacy should be used. Nonetheless, if Russia isn’t ready to use its influence to reduce the tension in eastern Ukraine, it will be appropriate to consider imposing sanctions. “We must tell our people that sanctions will affect our economies, our gas prices and our investor capacities, however,” he said. When asked whether Slovakia has a special role in the current Ukrainian crisis, Schulz responded that probably only Poland is in a special situation, as it has the longest border with Ukraine from among all EU-member countries, and it facing the most serious risks when it comes to relations with Ukraine.
