Oleksandr Sydielnikov, Team Lead of the “Support to Anti-Corruption Institutions” component of EUACI, participated in a panel discussion at the III Anti-Corruption Law Conference organized by the Ukrainian Bar Association. The discussion focused on the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to EU standards.
Oleksandr Sydielnikov emphasized the importance of aligning Ukraine’s anti-corruption legal framework with the commitments outlined in the Joint Statement by the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka.
A priority is the adoption of comprehensive amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and related legislation to ensure swift and effective justice in criminal proceedings, including in cases of high-level corruption.
Key areas for these legislative changes include:
- Repealing the automatic closure of criminal proceedings due to the expiration of pre-trial investigation time limits;
- Eliminating procedural obstacles in criminal proceedings, especially in cases of high-level corruption;
- Extending the statutes of limitations for corruption and corruption-related offenses, and improving the grounds for their interruption and suspension in line with European standards;
- Strengthening the independence of NABU and SAPO;
- Ensuring NABU’s effective access to impartial, timely, and high-quality forensic examinations, which is critical for investigating complex corruption crimes.
According to Oleksandr, the EU enlargement methodology implies that the fight against corruption is not limited to the work of NABU or SAPO. It is a systemic process that must permeate all spheres of public life, and the EU evaluates the state’s ability to identify and eliminate risks at all levels.
The EUACI continues to support Ukraine in strengthening its anti-corruption institutions and improving legislation as a vital component of advancing rule-of-law reforms and European integration.
