Brussels, 24/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 21 September, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle regretted the adoption in Ukraine of amendments to the law on the functioning of the Prosecutor's Office. Saying that these changes were made without consulting the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, Ashton and Füle believe “this represents a missed opportunity to pursue Ukraine's commitment to comprehensively reform the Prosecutor's Office in line with European standards”.
“The EU recalls that Ukraine has committed to adopting within one year from the entry into force of the new Criminal Procedure Code a comprehensive revision of the law on the functioning of the Prosecutor's Office”, say the spokespersons for Ashton and Füle in a press release. This should “bring together the necessary measures that create a legal system that includes a balance between law enforcement and the judiciary, the presumption of innocence and respect for fundamental freedoms”, they added.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych signed the amendments to the law on the functioning of the Prosecutor's Office, enabling - according to one of the president's advisers - the current powers of legal proceedings to be optimised and reduced. (CG/transl.fl)