Discussions about Ukraine’s recovery should also include discussions about anti-corruption. And URC 2024 panels proved this.
The achievements of the anti-corruption reform in Ukraine and challenges and future perspectives were highlighted at the panel “Fighting corruption and strengthening a trustworthy environment” on 12 June in Berlin.
During the discussion, the Head of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), Allan Pagh Kristensen highlighted the main results of the anti-corruption reform in Ukraine:
🔸 Despite challenging circumstances, Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions have achieved remarkable results. High-level officials, including ministers, MPs, and judges, are now held accountable for their corrupt activities. This is a significant change from the past.
🔸 Ukraine’s best-ever score in the Corruption Perception Index, which now brings Ukraine on an equal footing with some other EU candidate countries.
🔸 Ukraine has adopted numerous laws to protect the independence of anti-corruption institutions. The selection process for heads of these institutions, involving international experts, is a key example.
🔸 The EU’s assistance and membership perspective have been crucial in establishing a legal framework. In this regard, Ukraine’s progress since becoming an EU candidate country in June 2022 is remarkable.
Allan Pagh Kristensen underlined that the numerous high-level corruption cases being revealed are a sign of successful efforts in combating it – not a sign of an increase in corruption. He also mentioned that despite the achievements, the outstanding challenges were still significant and more needs to be done in preventing and fighting corruption.
Despite successes, the perception of corruption in Ukraine is often biased and has been subject to Russian propaganda. The EUACI has analyzed false narratives and put forward counter arguments by presenting evidence of Ukraine’s progress in anti-corruption reforms.
Learn more in Paper.
