Ukraine continues to implement European integration reforms and expects the opening of the first cluster of negotiations on EU membership: Oleksandr Korniienko
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko joined the presentation of the Shadow Report on Chapter 23, «Justice and Fundamental Rights,» as part of the event «The Road to the EU: Civil Society's View of Ukraine's Progress on Negotiation Chapters 23 and 24,» which concerns Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
The thematic panels of the event were attended by representatives of the government, the judiciary, international institutions and civil society — all those who are working together on reforms that are important for Ukraine's European future.
In his speech, First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko focused on the role of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in implementing European integration reforms, judicial and anti-corruption reforms, Ukraine's cooperation with the EU and international partners, as well as professional cooperation in the legislative process.
He noted that Parliament plays a major role in implementing the reforms provided for in sections 23–24, as some of the recommendations require legislative changes. «The Verkhovna Rada is actively working on the implementation of reforms — this is a complex and consistent process that requires coordinated parliamentary work,» said Oleksandr Korniienko.
According to him, the relevant processes require thorough consideration and coordination with experts. In particular, during the consideration of European integration bills in parliamentary committees, they are widely discussed with the involvement of experts, representatives of the public and partners, consensus is sought, and revisions are made between the first and second readings. «Public consultations and the participation of the public sector contribute to a high-quality legislative process. It is important to preserve and develop these practices for the stable implementation of reforms,» emphasised Oleksandr Korniienko, assuring that the Verkhovna Rada continues to take all necessary legislative steps to implement the decisions needed by the country on its path to European integration.
The First Deputy Speaker also noted that a number of reforms face natural resistance from systems that need to be changed. For example, in order to implement judicial reform in a stable manner, it is necessary to lay a solid foundation that will ensure the sustainability of changes, and work on this is ongoing. At the same time, according to Oleksandr Korniienko, the anti-corruption system demonstrates the effectiveness of the changes: despite isolated problems and challenges, anti-corruption control mechanisms are generally functioning properly.
Despite the challenges in implementing reforms, Ukraine has fulfilled its part of its European integration commitments and is now awaiting the opening of the first cluster by the European Commission — an important step towards further progress towards EU standards. The First Deputy Speaker stressed that accelerating this process on the part of partners is key to maintaining the momentum of reforms in Ukraine.
In conclusion, the First Deputy Speaker stressed that discussions on further reforms on the path to the EU should remain professional and involve experts and civil society in order to form a consolidated position and ensure the effective implementation of reforms.