The Ukrainian authorities should continue the process of fighting corruption and build a strong judicial system to attract investment into the country, British Ambassador to Ukraine Judith Gough has said.
“But what I can say is that the United Kingdom wants to continue trading with Ukraine – we want to build that trade relationship and that investment relationship. And the best thing that we can do right now to support that is to build strong institutions, particularly the judiciary, and tackle corruption, because the biggest obstacle to British investors coming to Ukraine or trading with Ukraine is concerns that they will not be able to have a fair hearing in the judicial process, as the judiciary is not strong,” she said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
In her words, the corruption will be a problem. “I think we will only see investors coming in if they believe that it is transparent and fair, and everybody is equal before the law,” the ambassador stressed.
Gough noted the need to continue reform including for the provision of further international assistance to Ukraine.
“Continuing with reform and tackling corruption is vitally important. Not just in terms of maintaining international support, but also in answering the demands of the people who took to the Maidan three years ago who demanded change in this country,” the ambassador added.
