Auditors scrutinising EU support to fight grand corruption in Ukraine

Met dank overgenomen van Europese Rekenkamer i, gepubliceerd op donderdag 27 augustus 2020.

Ukraine is one of the largest and most prominent countries bordering the EU i and, as such, one of the main beneficiaries of the EU neighbourhood policy. With prevailing corruption threatening the country’s economic growth and social development, the European Court of Auditors i will assess the effectiveness of EU action to tackle grand corruption in Ukraine.

Ukraine has been part of the European Neighbourhood Policy since 2003 and finally signed an association agreement six years ago following the “Maidan revolution”. Overall, the European Commission has committed about €15 billion since 2014, making it the largest donor to Ukraine. The EU's main objective is to support the country’s reform agenda on the path towards economic integration and closer political association. The fight against corruption is a key element in achieving these things.

Ukraine is characterised by a low level of compliance with the rule of law and a very high level of corruption. These are widely listed among its major problems, together with poverty and war. Transparency International’s 2019 corruption perception index ranks Ukraine 120th out of 180 countries. Even more worrying is that Ukraine suffers from grand corruption and the influence of an oligarchy, which severely hinder its economic development. The stranglehold of country’s oligarchy extends to the judiciary and government, hampering any democratic development.

Grand corruption and state capture remain pervasive and systemic in Ukraine and no real change can take place without tackling them in depth”, said Juhan Parts, the Member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the audit. “Ukraine being one of our major neighbouring partner countries, our audit will evaluate in particular the efficiency and outcomes of EU support and measures.”

Press Release: Auditors scrutinising EU support to fight grand corruption in Ukraine