Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the European Commission
22.2.2019
The Commission shares the observation of the Court of Auditors in its Special Report ‘EU Assistance to Ukraine’ that ‘Significant steps to combat corruption were taken only after the Maidan revolution but further consolidation of the anti-corruption framework is still needed …’ (p.31/57).
The EU assistance to Ukraine has had a significant impact on strengthening the capacity of the newly created anti-corruption institutions and enhancing external oversight over the reform process by the Parliament, as well as support to the civil society and media.
In relation to the last Macro Financial Assistance programme, the relevant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) foresees that the assistance is on condition of progress in the fight against corruption in Ukraine. To that effect, the MoU contains obligations to strengthen the governance, administrative capacities and institutional set-up for the fight against corruption in Ukraine. Furthermore, it includes conditions in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
As was the case for the first instalment released on 30 November 2018 of EUR 500 million, the release of the second tranche will also be subject to the strict conditionality established by the MoU.
In accordance with the Joint Statement by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission annexed to Decision (EU) 2018/947 the Commission will report publicly on the fulfilment of all relevant conditions concerning the fight against corruption.[1]
- [1] The Information Note on the disbursement of the first instalment is available on: https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/economic-and-fiscal-policy-coordination/international-economic-relations/enlargement-and-neighbouring-countries/neighbouring-countries-eu/neighbourhood-countries/ukraine_en