Anti-corruption measures in Ukraine are yielding results, says EU ambassador

Ukraine’s system of anti-corruption bodies is managing its tasks, and high-profile criminal cases indicate its effectiveness, stated Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernová, an exclusive comment to Ukrinform before the publication of the EU Enlargement Report, where the fight against corruption is one of the areas assessed.

Responding to questions about the EU’s perception of recent anti-corruption efforts, Mathernová emphasized, “Those who are interested in Ukraine in detail, observe the processes and understand what is needed to fight corruption, see that the system is currently working.” She highlighted that these cases demonstrate the effectiveness of regulatory bodies in tackling corruption, rather than simply indicating widespread corruption.

“The system is delivering results,” the diplomat noted. However, she acknowledged that some officials in certain EU member states who lack expertise on the issue may perceive that there is “simply a lot of corruption” in Ukraine.

Therefore, a deeper understanding of how corruption is countered is needed to understand how the system works. As the EU ambassador noted, “high-profile cases will inevitably appear.”

Mathernová added that the current situation can be assessed from a different angle, namely that previously “there was no favorable environment to truly combat such a variety of corruption schemes.”

“For example, it is clear that the issue with prosecutors arose a long time ago, and only now has it become relevant,” she said.

As reported, the Verkhovna Rada supported the resignation of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin, who submitted a corresponding statement amid reports of prosecutors illegally obtaining disability statuses.

A recent survey showed that Ukrainians consider reforms in the fight against corruption, national security, and the judicial system to be the most important for the country. Also, respondents see the European Union’s support as crucial in the fight against corruption.

ukrinform.ua