“Independent bodies like NABU and SAPO are crucial for Ukraine’s path to the EU. The Rule of Law is central to EU accession negotiations,” Kos emphasized on Tuesday.
She mentioned having had “frank” discussions with new Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s EU integration lead. “We’ll continue collaborating with Ukraine on essential rule of law reforms and its EU journey,” Kos shared on social media.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp echoed Kos, stating on social media: “Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies are crucial to its reform journey. Limiting them would be a significant setback. Ensuring their independence and ongoing progress on the rule of law is vital for Ukraine’s EU accession.”
The German Foreign Office also commented: “The independence and strength of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies have been integral to recent reform initiatives. Ukraine will be assessed based on their progress.”
A European Parliament Budgetary Control Committee delegation in Kyiv warned in a statement that Ukrainian legislation “risks undermining the independence” of NABU and SAPO: “The independence of anti-corruption bodies is key to their success.”
The MEPs, while expressing support for Ukraine, added, “Alongside fighting corruption, respecting the Rule of Law is a fundamental EU accession requirement.”
Leave a Reply