20 May 2016, 15:01
The importance of civil society in shaping the foreign policy of the country was discussed during the round table entitled "Strengthening the role of civil society in the implementation of Ukraine’s foreign policy," organized by the Committee on Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism” and the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation in Ukraine.
The event was attended by people’s deputies of Ukraine, representatives of the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine under the MFA of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, NGOs, charities, political scientists, and citizens of other countries.
Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Hanna Hopko started her welcoming speech with a thesis that the Parliament of Ukraine consistently supports the development of civil society in the direction of expert, public and cultural diplomacy. "Holding of seminars, conferences, round tables, and expert research has obtained systemic character and gives positive results," the spokesperson stressed.
"Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs F.W. Steinmeier, launching revision of Germany’s external policy, noted that in the world, which is in constant dynamics, form and content of foreign policy should always be under discussion. This means permanent search for own identity and role in the world. Strengthening the tools of diplomacy should take an important place on the agenda of the Foreign Ministry, other ministries in charge, in cooperation with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine," said H. Hopko.
In her view, adopting modern successful practices of reform of the diplomatic service, moving from diplomacy of the state to diplomacy of the society, the country should not forget about the necessity to engage public institutions in the elaboration and implementation of projects in the sphere of foreign policy.
"Public diplomacy is not something new either in theory or in practice of activity on the international arena of leading states, willing that their foreign policy look well-grounded and as much as possible meet the defined strategic objectives. Ukraine has just started its difficult path in this direction, so it is very important to take advantage of the positive experience of public diplomacy, which was once accumulated by countries of the Central and Eastern Europe," said H.Hopko.
At the end of the event, the participants concluded that the round table as a joint initiative of public organizations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs is aimed at finding solutions concerning specific mechanisms, legal and conceptual framework for provision of inclusive character of civil society participation in approval of foreign policy decisions in our country.
As experts of the Ukrainian Prism noted the first step for changes and reforms is the political will of the heads of relevant institutions, openness to changes and work in the "national team" format in the international arena.