The European Commission has noted the continuation of implementing criteria for visa liberalization by Ukraine, but pointed to the need for immediate action to ensure the full implementation and stability of reforms, in particular, anti-corruption.
The commission said, in general, criteria for visa liberalization continue to be fulfilled. But taking into account recent events, it is necessary to take immediate action to ensure the full implementation and stability of the reforms that are already implemented, in particular, fight against corruption, the European Commission said in the first report within the mechanism of suspension of the visa-free regime.
The European Commission also promulgated six requirements for Ukraine, including ensuring the independence, efficiency and sustainability of anti-corruption reforms, in particular by creating the independent and specialized Higher Anti-Corruption Court in accordance with the Venice Commission’s conclusion and Ukrainian legislation, while strengthening and ensuring the independence of work of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, restoring the authority of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention and creating an effective system for verifying electronic declarations, cancelling amendments on electronic income declaration for anti-corruption activists.
In addition, among the requirements are intensification of efforts to combat organized crime, in particular by allocating sufficient resources to the National Police of Ukraine, strengthening cooperation with EU institutions to prevent the risks of irregular migration and conduct campaigns on informing about duties and rights in the framework of the visa-free regime for citizens of Ukraine.
