The Minister of Justice emphasized the importance of the cooperation with Ukraine in combating corruption, which is considered to be quite widespread. "Combating this phenomenon is like a long distance run. We are aware of big effort, which has been Ukraine making in this area, and of the success that was made," Daniela Kovářová said. Ukraine has already ratified for example the Civil Law Convention on Corruption, signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption, as well as the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption of the Council of the EU. The Minister also appreciated the development of the cooperation of Ukraine with OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and GRECO (The Group of States against Corruption), following their recommendation, the country has adopted the act of the special representative for combating corruption. "Combating corruption is one of the elemental priorities of the Ukrainian government, which will continue to do its best to reduce this problem," confirmed also the Ukrainian Minister of Justice Onischuk.
Fight against organized crime where the Czech Presidency continues with the EU long-term intentions such as e.g. the prevention of the internet exploitation, money laundering or the protection of children was also on the agenda. It started e.g. the revision of a Council Framework Decision on combating the sexual abuse of children and child pornography. The next significant statute, which has been discussed in working groups nowadays, is the revision of a Council Framework Decision on combating trafficking in human beings.
The Czech Presidency emphasized the ongoing Justice reform in Ukraine. The Minister Kovářová particularly appreciated its effort in relation to the training and improvement of the judges´ recruiting system. As the other of important tools within the Justice reform towards its transparency she designated its electronic digitalisation. "One of the priorities of the Czech Presidency is the so called e-Justice. Therefore I was delighted to hear about the implementation of the unified Ukraine register which enables the citizens with fast and easy approach to the judicial decisions", said the Czech Minister towards the Ukrainian party.
The EU representatives also emphasized the importance of developing the cooperation between the Ukraine and the EU Member States especially on basis of multilateral treaties. The prerequisite of the successful EU - Ukraine cooperation is the guarantee of the legal certainty, law predictability and the just process.
Petra Střítecká, Spokesperson for the Czech EU Presidency