Restoration of Ukraine has to be coupled with new wave of reforms – von der Leyen

Addressing the Parliament of Ukraine on Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the international community was mobilizing to support efforts to rebuild Ukraine.

Next Monday, von der Leyen, President Zelensky, and Prime Minister Shmyhal will participate in the Lugano conference for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

“Your European path and the reconstruction of the country will go hand in hand. Ukraine will be in the lead. Massive investments will have to come. But to maximize their impact and to foster business confidence, investments will have to be coupled with a new wave of reforms,” von der Leyen said, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As noted, Ukraine has already made important progress.

“You have created an impressive anti-corruption machine. But now these institutions need teeth, and the right people in senior posts. The new head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor´s Office and the new director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine should be appointed as soon as possible,” the European Commission President stressed.

She also pointed out the reform of the Constitutional Court, the need to pass legislation on the procedures for selecting judges, the need to reduce the excessive influence of oligarchs on the economy, as well as to pass a media law to align Ukraine's legislation with current EU standards.

“Of course, reforms always take time. That is how all our democracies work. They need constant commitment and dedication. And for instance, no one expects Ukraine to fill in all posts in your new institutions while so many of your best and brightest are fighting on the front. But Ukraine's democracy must be kept on the right track. You have already shown that you can pass important laws even as the war still rages on, and make every day count,” von der Leyen said.

To sum up, the official stressed that Ukraine had a long road ahead but Europe would be at its side.

“There is a long road ahead but Europe will be at your side every step of the way, for as long as it takes, from these dark days of war until the moment you cross the door that leads into our European Union,” the European Commission President stressed.

As reported, on June 23, the Heads of State and Government of the European Union adopted a decision to grant Ukraine the EU candidate status.