UWC welcomes report by European External Action Service and European Commission praising reform progress in Ukraine

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) welcomes the report issued on 15 November 2017 by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission (EC), which highlights the notable successes of Ukraine with reforms related to its Association Agenda with the EU in 2017.

Acknowledging a positive trend in the economic and social spheres, the authors of the report praise important legislative developments in areas such as the electricity market, energy efficiency, environment, education and decentralisation. In addition, they recognize the more recent key reforms in the pension, health care, and food safety systems, as well as the new laws governing the work of the Constitutional and the Supreme Courts of Ukraine. Finally, the report notes positive developments in the implementation of the Strategy on Public Administration Reform and with reform of law enforcement agencies.

As the result of these reforms, according to the report authors, Ukraine has returned to the international capital markets having raised over €2.5 billion ($3 billion) with a 15-year maturity, which signals a consolidated stabilisation of the economy. In addition, Ukraine’s overall trade with the EU increased by 28.4% in the period January-July 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 as a result of the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU.

However, the report also underlines the need for rapid establishment of an anti-corruption court in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

“The Ukrainian World Congress welcomes the report by the EEAS and EC commending Ukraine’s ongoing reform progress and calls on the EU to continue supporting Ukraine on its path of integration with the EU,” noted UWC President Eugene Czolij.