At that Mr. Rahr noted Mr. Yatsenyuk's young age was “anything but an obstacle to success”.

“President Yushchenko will further set the foreign policy. He creates a new team of young politicians not yet tarnished by the soviet experience, with new mentality and pro-western views.

“Appointment of the young minister will help Mr. Yushchenko engage new generation in the domestic policy, a field which the President is losing out to Mrs. Tymoshenko so far.”

Making comments on the fact Mr. Yatsenyuk was accused of diplomatic unprofessionalism, Mr. Rahr remarked none of the western countries had a career foreign minister.

“The western approach presupposes the foreign ministry should be headed by a man skilled in the politics in general, not only in the foreign policy alone, a man who is on friendly terms with the President and does not confine himself to diplomacy only.

“In my opinion Ukrainian diplomacy is too ideological and needs fresh people. And it is good these people originated from another part of the Ukrainian elite besides diplomacy.”

Mr. Rahr is certain the President has to distance himself from Mr. Tarasyuk’s team to avoid conflicts with the Parliament.

“Mr. Yatsenyuk's candidacy was offered as he did not belong to the old guard of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. This enables the President to neutralize the impact of Mr. Tarasyuk’s men exasperated the coalition.

“Besides, Mr. Yatsenyuk does not seem to be a politician able to play second fiddle in the Foreign Ministry.”

According to Mr. Rahr, former Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk “has irritated many foreign partners by his very obstinate approach to pursuing foreign policy and his very categorical demands on integrating Ukraine into NATO”.

“That is why arrival of a more flexible man will facilitate strengthening not only diplomatic, but also economic and business relations between the countries. The fact Mr. Yatsenyuk is very skilled in economics is an obvious advantage.”


pravda.com.ua