"The topic of the effectiveness of the fight against corruption is the biggest public demand after the armed aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine. The eradication of corruption is a long and difficult path that we have to go through together. It requires consolidation of efforts of both the public sector and civil society," said Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, during the event.
At the same time, he elaborated on the efforts of the Ukrainian Parliament to ensure anti-corruption policy. In particular, the institutional capacity of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine was strengthened, and on 21 March 2024, the Specialised Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office began operating as a separate independent prosecutorial body with the status of a legal entity under public law. The procedural independence of the Head of the SAPO has been significantly improved. In addition, by amending the Criminal Procedure Code, the Ukrainian Parliament cancelled the requirement for collegial review of all criminal proceedings by HACC judges, which will speed up the case consideration and make it impossible to avoid punishment due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Also, the Law on Lobbying, which defines the legal framework for lobbying in line with the best European practices, will come into force on 1 January 2025. At the same time, at the end of last year, the electronic declaration for persons authorised to perform state functions was resumed.
"These measures are aimed at eradicating corruption as a phenomenon. And in my speech I assured that there is a clear political will of the Parliament, the President as the head of state and the Government for this," said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
"The President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Government of Ukraine have a clear political will to implement anti-corruption policy. For us, this is an absolute guarantee of our European and Euro-Atlantic future," the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine emphasised.
In addition, Ruslan Stefanchuk noted that 25 June was a historic date for Ukraine, a date that marked a historic step towards our European integration — the opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union: "This is the merit of everyone. Every Ukrainian who dreams of returning to our European home."
Finally, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine expressed his sincere gratitude to Ukraine's partners: "The most valuable thing we have gained during this war (fighting for victory and striving for it) is trust in each other. Today, our task is to do everything to ensure that we do not lose it. These are the principles and values for which the best sons and daughters of Ukraine give the most valuable thing they have — their lives and health."