On 26 January 2024, the Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and the Head of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), Allan Pagh Kristensen, emphasized the importance of fighting corruption and discussed the best practices for recovery of Mykolaiv at a meeting with the City's leadership.
"Even before the full invasion, Ukraine demonstrated significant progress in combating corruption, and positive developments continued during the wartime. However, there are still room for improvement. Also, when it comes to Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU, it is crucial that we help them achieve their goals," the minister stated.
During the event, Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced support for the Phase III of the EUACI in Ukraine. The program, implemented by Denmark since 2016, will focus on supporting Ukraine's anti-corruption reform and integrity recovery in the next phase.
The Head of EUACI presented the Program’s activities and recognized the excellent cooperation with the City Mayor of Mykolaiv and his team, which began in August 2022 and has already brought fruitful results.
‘At the outset, we formulated a joint vision with the mayor of Mykolaiv that has guided us ever since: to create the best practices for reconstruction with respect of integrity, accountability and transparency. And we have come quite far in this work and are closing gaps for corruption and creating more transparency. Thanks not least to the strong commitment on the side of the city mayor and my great EUACI colleagues’, Allan Pagh Kristensen highlighted.
The one-day visit to Mykolaiv of the Danish Foreign Minister was devoted to the official opening of the new office of the Danish Embassy.