The suspension of visa-free regime: the EU has announced its demands to Ukraine

The European Commission presented its first report under the mechanism for the suspension of visa-free regimes with third countries, which voiced a number of requirements to Ukraine on the fulfilment of commitments. The document is published on the website of the EC.

As noted in the European Commission, Ukraine has made progress in implementing anti-corruption reforms, in particular in the effective operation of NABU and SAP.

“However, the sustainability of reforms remains a challenge. Maintaining and strengthening the independence and effective functioning of NABOO, SAP and NACP should be a key priority,” the report says.

Such recent events as the limit of pretrial investigation and disclosure by the Prosecutor General’s office of secret investigations NABOO, “seriously affect the Bureau’s ability to effectively investigate and undermine public confidence in anti-corruption institutions,” according to Brussels.

Also, the European Commission criticized recently registered a draft law No.7362, which greatly facilitates the dismissal of the heads of anti-corruption bodies.

Concerned in the EU and the lack of adjudications in connection with NABU and SAP. In this regard, the officials again reminded of the need to create in Ukraine the “independent specialized higher anti-corruption court in full accordance with the opinion of the Venice Commission”.

See also: Johnson on Ukraine: Encouraging reform, concerned about the level of corruption

“In General, the criteria for visa liberalization continue to run. However, given recent events, it is necessary to take immediate steps to ensure full implementation and sustainability of the reforms, in particular regarding requirements of anti-corruption”, – the document says.

The European Commission has put forward a number of requirements to Ukraine:

1. To expand cooperation with the EU authorities to prevent the risks associated with irregular migration.

2. Strengthen targeted information campaigns clarifying the rights and obligations under the visa-free travel.

3. To ensure the independence, effectiveness and sustainability of anti-corruption institutions, in particular by establishing an anti-corruption court. It is also necessary to ensure the independence and capacity of the NABU and SAP, having dealt with the tendencies that affect their work.

4. Immediately to restore confidence in the NACP and to create an effective system of validation of e-returns.

5. To cancel amendments requiring public figures to declare their income and assets.

6. To intensify efforts to combat organized crime, including by providing adequate resources and competence of national police.

27 February 2017, the EU Council adopted the mechanism for suspension of visa-free regimes with other countries. In particular, this tool allows the Commission to initiate a suspension on its own initiative and confronts the task of the EC to report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on how third countries that have received visa-free regime, continue to meet the necessary criteria.

See also: EU: Pressure on NABOO threatens visa-free regime

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