Fighting on anti-corruption front: Ukraine off GRECO’s “blacklist”

The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) welcomes Ukraine’s corruption prevention progress in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors and is “pleased to conclude that the current level of compliance with the [GRECO’s] recommendations is no longer “globally unsatisfactory,” a report of the group reads.

Thus, Ukraine exits the GRECO’s “blacklist” of countries subject to the non-compliance procedure.

“GRECO wishes to recognize the strong commitment shown by Ukraine in respect of GRECO’s work at an extremely difficult time for this member State, following the war of aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Wartime has led to the necessity of adopting martial law, a state of emergency and the adjustment of priorities. In such a context, it is remarkable that Ukraine has nevertheless continued its work to implement GRECO’s recommendations,” according to the GRECO interim compliance report on Ukraine published last week.

Since 2017, Ukraine has “implemented satisfactorily or dealt with in a satisfactory manner” 15 out of the GRECO’s 31 recommendations. GRECO requests Ukraine to provide a report on the action taken to implement the outstanding recommendations by March 31, 2024.

The Group of States against Corruption monitors the compliance of its 49 member states with the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption instruments.