By KYIV. Dec 2 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The European Union sees Ukraine’s progress in the fight against corruption and regarding several bills needed to implement the seven EU recommendations, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas has said.
"We are witness of progress in anti-corruption sphere, we see progress on several draft laws needed to deliver on those recommendations. At the same time, these are large, difficult, complex issues. It cannot be done just like that," Maasikas said at Kyiv Security Forum organized by Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s "Open Ukraine" Foundation in Kyiv on Thursday.
"The Ukrainian leadership set itself, and I very much welcome that, it helps you focus, the deadline to be ready with the delivering of those recommendations by the end of the year. We still have time. I am personally following very closely some draft laws that are being discussed. Then the European Commission presents to the member states its assessment," he said.
At the same time, the head of the mission said that integration into the EU is not only about the adoption of laws, but their implementation.
"The Ukrainian leadership, and it makes all the sense, I must admit, is constantly insisting that if Ukraine delivers [recommendations], Ukraine should be assessed earlier than normally the EU does it in the autumn, in October. The next regular report enlargement will be in next October. The Ukrainian leadership is pushing for quicker assessment. That I cannot yet predict whether this will materialize or not. I want first to see delivery on those seven areas," Maasikas said.
He also said Ukraine itself must determine what victory will be for it. The ambassador said that from the EU point of view, there are two additional elements. Firstly, it will be a victory if Ukraine becomes a member of the EU. Some 90% of Ukrainians believe that in ten years Ukraine will be a wealthy country and a member of the EU, and this is fantastic. It shows how the EU symbolizes hope for Ukrainians these days, Maasikas said.
At the same time, he said Ukraine’s accession to the EU would be a victory for the EU itself. Maasikas said the new state, so big, dynamic and strong, will also strengthen the EU. In every sense of the word, Ukraine’s victory is also Europe’s victory.
