European Commission: Widespread Corruption Slows Down Reforms in Ukraine

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The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission is sure that a comprehensive reform of the judicial system is long overdue in Ukraine. Widespread corruption "continues to hamper the reform process in Ukraine." This opinion was expressed on Tuesday, February 9, by the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis during the European Parliament plenary discussion of a report on Ukraine's implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU. According to Dombrovskis, Kiev has recently achieved "noticeable progress" in transformations, nevertheless, the fight against corruption continues to be "a key condition for the EU macro-financial support." In Ukraine, "a comprehensive reform of the judicial system is long overdue" Key Ukrainian institutions must have strong and independent leadership, and the chance to do their work free of political, economic or other interference, Brussels believes. The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission also stressed that, in his opinion, "a comprehensive reform of the judicial system is long overdue in the country." Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg linked Ukraine's possible NATO membership to reforms. In turn, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the country's authorities are "actively modernizing" the security and defense sector.