Brussels – The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy published on May 15 2012 the annual report on Ukraine's progress in the implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy.
The report listed the tasks, which Ukraine should attend to in the frames of the implementation of the association agenda, in particular to observe the rule of law and democratic values, and fight corruption.
According to the document, in 2011 Ukraine took positive steps to secure deeper long-term future relations with the EU, and to confirm the European vector of its foreign policy, by working intensively to finalize the negotiations of the Association Agreement, which closed in December.
At the same time, the EU repeatedly expressed its concern at the degradation of the rule of law in the country and the slow pace of a number of critical reforms.
On the basis of this year’s report, and with the view of a sustained implementation of the Association Agenda in 2012, Ukraine is invited to:
Ensure that the constitutional reform process is carried out in an inclusive and transparent way and in close cooperation with the Council of Europe/Venice Commission.
Effectively implement the Association Agenda priorities concerning the respect for the rule of law and democratic values.
Bring legislation on freedom of assembly and media freedom into line with European standards.
Address the issue of politically-motivated selective justice and take steps, more broadly, to ensure the independence of the judiciary and pursue reform in all aspects of the judicial process: prosecution, trial, sentencing, detention and appeals.
Further develop co-operation with the Council of Europe (including on elections, the revision of the legislation on the Office of the Public Prosecutor and on the Bar, of the role of the High Council of Justice, of the Criminal Code and notably its articles 364 and 365 as well as amendments to the laws on the Judicial System and the Status of Judges in accordance with the recommendations made by the Venice Commission, effective implementation of the Law on Free Legal Aid and establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism to prevent ill-treatment and torture), building on the experience of preparing the new Criminal Procedure Code.
Take effective action to tackle conflict of interest and corruption as well as specific obstacles to business and investment; address the trade and trade-related reforms laid down in the Association Agenda with a view to facilitate the implementation of the future DCFTA.
Address in good time issues raised in the area of justice and home affairs, notably on combating trafficking in human beings taking into account a gender and human rights perspective.
Prepare and conduct the 2012 parliamentary elections in line with the standards of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe – Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), including full co-operation with monitoring missions.
Establish a macroeconomic framework, conducive to the resumption of IMF support addressing inter alia issues of fiscal sustainability in the energy sector.
Address outstanding issues of transparency and accountability in public finance management, making use of EU technical assistance in this area. This is a condition for continued EU budget support and EU macro-financial assistance.
Bring the law on civil service of November 2011 in line with EU norms, which would allow an EU sector budget support program of EUR 70 million to advance.
Comply with the obligations of the Energy Community Treaty (as reflected in the Association Agreement and the Association Agenda) and pursue reforms in line with the commitments taken upon accession to this treaty.
Coordinate better EU assistance and optimize its effectiveness by facilitating project and expert registration and integrating experts better in their respective working environment.
