Ukraine is seeking support from the Jewish community in its efforts to reach political and economical circles in Europe, according to Ukrainian first Vice-Prime Minister Anatoliy K. Kinakh.

On a two-day visit to Brussels aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s efforts towards integration into the Europe, Kinakh said that the Jewish community can bring among others “objective and impartial” information about Ukraine.

“Especially now that Ukraine has made important political and social changes and that we are living in a democracy and under the rule of law,” Kinakh told EJP in an exclusive interview.

On Tuesday Kinakh met with Slim Kallas, the Vice-President of the European Executive Commission who is responsible for administrative affairs and anti-fraud policy, and Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

State and society dialogue

He said that he was proud that Ukraine, which is home to 120 nationalities, “had not experienced any major outbreak of ethnic violence” in its 15 years of independence.

Troubled Past
	Hundreds of thousands perished over the centuries in pogroms staged by nationalists
	Millions died during the Holocaust
	Around 100,000 Jews live today in Ukraine

“That’s why it is important that we protect human rights regardless of nationality or religious adherence.”

“This policy should cover all aspects of human rights, including education, to ensure that ethnic intolerance and anti-Semitism be avoided,” Kinakh said.

He stressed the importance of a “constant dialogue” between state and society.

“Society should influence, strengthen and control the state,” he said.

“But if separate outbreaks of anti-Semitism occur, the state should react very strictly and abort them from the very beginning,” he stressed.

Strengthening culture

I am doing everything to strengthen cultural activities and increase the number of Jewish schools

Anatoliy K. Kinakh, Ukrainian Vice-Premier

During his visit, the vice-premier was accompanied by one of Ukraine’s chief rabbis Azriel Chaikin.

Around 100,000 Jews live today in Ukraine.

Hundreds of thousands of Jews perished over the centuries in pogroms staged by Ukrainian nationalists, while millions died during the Holocaust. Anti-Semitic feelings still linger in Western Ukraine.

Kinakh emphasized the need to develop Jewish cultural life in Ukraine as part of the country’s culture heritage.

“I am doing everything to strengthen cultural activities and increase the number of Jewish schools and establishments,” the minister said.

“This is also an indication of how civilized the state is.”

War wounds

He also vowed to encourage and facilitate the process of restitution of Jewish property confiscated by the Nazis during WWII.

“The war has left difficult wounds for Ukraine, not only for its Jewish citizens,” he stressed, recalling that around 10 million Ukrainians perished during the war and later during Stalin’s Soviet pogroms.

He admitted that the government development program of encouraging restitution of immovable property to the Ukrainian Jewish community “is not an easy process.”

“These buildings now have a public function so we first need to get a public consensus and to secure financial means.”

But he assured that his government was willing “to find a solution to solve this problem.”