EU Believes Widespread Corruption Hampers Reforms in Ukraine

Ukraine has made some progress in reforming the country, but widespread corruption continues to hamper this process, Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis said during the discussion of the interim report on Ukraine’s implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU.

He recalled that the European Union is providing Ukraine with a new, macro-financial assistance programme worth EUR 1.2 billion to help mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, and half of this sum was disbursed in early December last year.

“The fight against corruption is a key condition for the EU’s macro-financial support,” Dombrovskis said.

According to him, it is “vital” for a strong Ukraine that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) be fully independent. Over the years, the Bureau has demonstrated its effectiveness and produced tangible results.

Dombrovskis also believes that a comprehensive judiciary reform is “long overdue” in Ukraine.

“The Venice Commission and G7’s roadmap, complementing the EU Delegation’s constant advice to authorities and politicians, gives clear guidance on what has to be done. The EU is ready to support Ukraine in doing this,” the Vice President of the European Commission said.

He noted that only criminals and oligarchs will benefit from the lack of change in the state and widespread corruption. Therefore, all Ukrainian reform-oriented political factions must come together and give a clear signal of Ukraine’s determination to “make its reform path irreversible.”

Bohdan Marusyak