'..Ukraine's path toward reform can be significantly accelerated if Brussels and Washington adopt pragmatic policies..'<blockquote>'..Ukraine has completed only part of its march to democracy that thoughtful American and European diplomacy and engagement can help Ukraine complete its transition.
One such opportunity will come on Dec. 19, when the European Union is due to hold a summit in Kiev.
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..the significant record of progress under Mr. Yanukovych: deep reductions in the size of government, lowered tax rates for big business and small entrepreneurs, reduced government subsidies for energy and the extensive prosecution of current government officials on corruption charges.
Democracy, too, Ukraine has made progress under Mr. Yanukovych.
Major opposition parties recently reached a compromise with Mr. Yanukovych's party on a new election law that gives opposition forces significant rights to monitor vote counting in local election districts.
According to opposition leaders I recently met in Kiev, the law, though flawed, establishes a basis for a competitive parliamentary election next November.
Ukraine is on the path to becoming a vibrant market democracy. Its citizens are highly mobilized, its civil society well-developed and its media open to a broad spectrum of opinion.
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..Ukraine's path toward reform can be significantly accelerated if Brussels and Washington adopt pragmatic policies that do not press Ukraine's leaders, but rather create space for them to make the right decisions.
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..signing the association agreement has to be the first step.'
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Isolation Won't Heal Ukraine's Democratic Deficit, December 01, 2011</blockquote>
Context<blockquote>
'..an "historic" point with negotiations between the EU and Kiev..'Ukraine, EU - Association and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement(Ukraine-EU-US)</blockquote>