Recently, representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Law Enforcement attended the international event titled “OECD Anti-Bribery Convention: An Important Milestone of Reforms on Ukraine’s Path to EU Integration,” dedicated to completing Ukraine’s accession process to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery for Foreign Public Officials in the International Business Transactions.
In his address during the panel discussion “Taking the Next Step on Ukraine’s Path to the OECD”, the Chair of the Committee briefed attendees about the legislative work carried out by People’s Deputies to align Ukrainian law with international best practices.
Serhii Ionushas emphasized that a foundational step on this path was the drafting and parliamentary adoption of the Law of Ukraine (No. 11443), initiated by members of the Committee, regarding the improvement of mechanisms for holding legal entities accountable for bribing foreign public officials. It was precisely this enactment that made it possible to invite Ukraine to join the OECD. A vital role was also played by the adoption of the Law on Accession to the Convention (No. 0367), initiated by the President of Ukraine.
Currently, the key priority for parliamentarians is the final adoption of Draft Law No. 15056, which the Committee has already prepared for its second reading.
"This draft law harmonizes the provisions of the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Law 'On Prevention of Corruption' with the requirements of the Convention. We clearly define the concept of a foreign public official, improve the legal frameworks governing the liability of legal entities—including issues of legal succession—and eliminate all legislative loopholes that could impede the investigation of international bribery cases," the Chairman of the Committee emphasized.
Serhii Ionushas noted that deepening cooperation with the OECD and becoming a Party to the Convention is not only a prerequisite for full membership in the Organisation, but also significantly reinforces Ukraine's efforts toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration.