The European Commission on Tuesday praised Ukraine’s fight against corruption following the dismissal of more than a dozen governors, deputy ministers and even a presidential advisor, after several scandals within the Ministry of Defense and the arrest of a deputy minister for allegedly accepting bribes.
«As a general rule, we do not comment on ongoing criminal investigations. But, of course, we welcome the fact that the Ukrainian authorities are taking these matters seriously,» EU Enlargement spokeswoman Ana Pisonero told a press conference from Brussels.
In this regard, she underlined Brussels’ expectation that Ukraine will strengthen the fight against corruption through proactive and effective investigations and have a credible track record of prosecutions and convictions, in line with European commitments to advance its accession to the bloc.
Pisonero has appreciated the steps taken by Kiev to appoint a new anti-corruption Prosecutor’s Office or the appointment of a new head of the national anti-corruption body. «Of course, benchmark actions and methods will be needed to strengthen anti-corruption institutions,» he has explained.
In any case, the European executive has noted that it accompanies reforms and progress in Ukraine, such as the establishment of anti-corruption agencies. «We see progress over the years, more progress has to be made and we will continue, on the one hand, to monitor and, on the other hand, to support Ukraine. It is important to take into account the context in which it finds itself,» he said.
In particular, on the possible diversion of funds, he stressed the obligations of the Ukrainian authorities to report on the processing of funds in order to ensure their proper use.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
