Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman wanted to reassure Europeans on Monday 17 December about his country's progress in the fight against corruption.
"The legislative framework has been created, we are in the process of selecting judges. In the first quarter of 2019, we will have the High Anti-Corruption Court. This is a major step towards strengthening the rule of law,” he explained at a press conference after the Association Council.
This news must have satisfied the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. "We would both like to see the high anti-corruption court finally fully operational as soon as possible. We also discussed the importance of the specialised anti-corruption institutions being able to work independently and effectively," she stressed, adding that the fight against corruption remained one of Ukraine's main challenges.
In the statement issued at the end of the meeting, the Association Council warned that the process for selecting judges for the High Court should be independent, transparent and based on merit.
The High Representative also urged the protection of civil society. "When it comes to the fight against corruption and to reforms in general, the civil society plays a key role,” she said. "This is a strength that Ukraine should make best use of and that needs to be protected. That is why threats or harassment of their work is not only unacceptable, but must be avoided at all costs and perpetrators should be swiftly brought to justice", she warned.
Progress in reforms was also discussed. While noting the progress, Ms Mogherini called on Ukrainians to do more, including on improving the investment and business climate and corporate governance, as well as on reforming the gas and electricity markets. And if 2019 is an election year in Ukraine, for the High Representative, this should not be an excuse to reform less.
In its statement, the Association Council agreed to continue the dialogue aimed at deepening cooperation in areas such as energy, justice and home affairs, customs and the digital economy, within the framework of the Association Agreement.
Ms Mogherini and Mr Groysman also discussed the situation in the Sea of Azov. Once again, the High Representative recalled the EU's support for Ukraine and called for the release of seafarers and freedom of navigation. Like its President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister called for Russian ships to be banned from ports. He also called for a coordination of pressure on Russia (see EUROPE 12159).
In addition, in the margins of the Council, the Commission and Ukraine signed four financing agreements: one on energy efficiency (€54 million), another on "EU4skills: better qualifications for a modern Ukraine” (€58 million), a programme on people-to-people contacts (€18.6 million) and support for the implementation of the Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (€52.5 million). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)