The head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Kim said that Ukraine can be useful to the European Union in the areas of digitalization, healthcare and accessibility of services for citizens. He said this in an broadcast of “News.Life”, answering a question about what EU integration will give Ukraine and how its results will be felt by ordinary people.
According to Vitaliy Kim, Ukraine’s accession to the EU will first and foremost mean clear rules, discipline and predictability. In his view, this is what allows businesses to plan their operations without constant fear of changing conditions. He explained that he sees in the European approach primarily stable rules, a different level of discipline and an attitude toward public service.
“In my opinion, first of all, it’s rules and discipline. Because we have all been to Europe and understand that it’s a little different there. That is, rules, discipline, a routine, clear rules that do not change. This allows businesses to plan more easily. It’s, you know, like a classic — how things should be everywhere. A member of parliament or a civil servant is an ordinary person who receives a salary, like in Europe. And it is not the most popular job,” — Vitaliy noted.
Vitaliy Kim also emphasized that long-term planning plays an important role in European countries. According to him, Ukraine often thinks in shorter time frames, whereas in Europe decisions are made with a horizon of years ahead. The regional head noted that Ukraine has already covered a significant part of the road toward European integration, and for him this process is connected with security, predictability and strategic planning.
“We are confidently on this path and have already covered a great distance toward European integration. For me personally it is rules, security and planning. Because Europe does not live by one year, not by four years as we sometimes plan, but by 15. So it’s strategic planning, clear rules and predictability for business,” — he said.
Separately, Vitaliy Kim stressed that Ukraine not only expects benefits from joining the EU, but also has developments that can be valuable for European partners. He mentioned digitalization, healthcare and service accessibility. Speaking about how EU integration should be felt by people, the head of the Mykolaiv RMA named an increase in the average salary to 1500-2000 euros, higher pensions, stronger social guarantees and better accessibility for people with disabilities.
“We have a lot to offer Europe — in terms of digitalization, healthcare and service accessibility. But what I expect to get from European integration is average salaries around 1500-2000 euros. That is higher pensions. That is, undoubtedly, social guarantees, including accessibility for people with disabilities. We are now actively implementing this thanks to Europe. Because Europe guarantees, as does Ukraine, equal rights for all people. What I expect Ukraine will receive is higher average pay, pensions and social standards. Because this is a socially oriented economy. It is access to European institutions that can create the right governing documents. And changes in life for the better precisely through social guarantees for people,” — said the head of the RMA.
Recall, the European Union ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova earlier called Mykolaiv a “virtuous” city and noted that the regional and city leadership is creating conditions to attract international partners.
Previously, we wrote:
- Kim: Ukrainians who moved to the EU are not happy there
- Kim and Senkevych — favored by the EU: the ambassador considers Mykolaiv a “virtuous city”
- Kim says: enough humanitarian aid — let’s do projects that earn money
- Winter as a weapon: emotional statement by the EU ambassador about Russia’s deliberate strikes on Ukrainians’ heating
- Denmark injects hundreds of millions into Mykolaiv region: will the money really reach the people?
