EU welcomes new draft law on Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies
Photo: Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
The European Commission said it welcomes the development of a new bill to normalize the activities of the NABU and the SAPO, according to The Guardian.
"What matters is the message that was indeed passed, a message where we expressed our concern, our worries, about the steps that had been taken in the meantime. Indeed, we understand that the Ukrainian authorities have taken a new approach, [to] propose a new action plan or law, the European Commission notes.
The European Commission also welcomes the fact that the Ukrainian government is taking action and is not leaving the situation to the law.
"We welcome the fact that the Ukrainian government is taking action, and we work with them to make sure that our concerns, which have been clearly explained yesterday and day before yesterday, are indeed taken into account," the EC adds.
Background
Yesterday, July 23, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the law that curtails the powers of NABU and SAPO. She wants clarification.
The EC noted that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office are considered the cornerstones of the rule of law in Ukraine. Such bodies are crucial for the implementation of reforms in Ukraine and must remain independent.
Law on NABU and SAPO
On July 22, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the scandalous Law No. 12414, which significantly curtails the powers of NABU and SAPO. The law allows the Prosecutor General to change the jurisdiction of investigations, transfer cases, and give mandatory instructions to NABU detectives and SAPO prosecutors.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has already noted that the adoption of such a law is a serious step back for Ukraine.
