Taras Kachka meets with representatives of the expert community on rule of law issues
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka held a meeting with representatives of the expert community focused on rule of law issues. The key topic of discussion was the current situation with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), as well as identifying optimal solutions for further cooperation and Ukraine’s European integration.
The meeting was attended by experts from civil society organisations, including the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law, DEJURE Foundation, Civil Network OPORA, Tomorrow’s Lawyer NGO, Centre of Policy and Legal Reform, Human Rights Centre ZMINA, Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group, RPR Coalition, Agency for Legislative Initiatives, Transparency International Ukraine, Anti-Corruption Headquarters, and EasyBusiness.
These organisations are part of working groups preparing Ukraine’s negotiating positions for Chapter 23, Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.
Taras Kachka thanked the experts for their openness to dialogue and for discussing prospects for the further implementation of Transformation Roadmaps in light of the current situation.
The official underscored the significant progress made in the field of rule of law over the past decade. In this context, he emphasised the importance of continued collaboration between state authorities and civil society to find ways to maintain the full functionality of law enforcement and anti-corruption systems, open negotiation clusters, implement Transformation Roadmaps on the path to EU integration, and ensure transparency in all processes.
The parties agreed on the need for further coordination and communication to develop solutions that will strengthen the anti-corruption infrastructure and prevent potential threats. The Deputy Prime Minister called for the exchange of up-to-date information, including analytical findings.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Justice for European Integration Liudmyla Suhak, Director General of the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Oleksandr Ilkov, and other representatives of the Government Office.
Background
Chapter 23 of the EU negotiations covers EU law and policies in the areas of independent and effective justice; prevention and combating of corruption as a threat to the stability of democratic institutions and the rule of law; and fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by EU treaties and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. These include children’s rights, protection of whistleblowers reporting breaches of EU law, personal data protection, procedural rights and guarantees, victims’ rights, combating racism and xenophobia, freedom of expression, non-discrimination, protection of Roma rights, gender equality, rights of persons with disabilities, and rights of EU Member State citizens.