The European Parliament called on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the independence of NABU and SAP and lift the ban on travel for MPs

The European Parliament called on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the independence of NABU and SAP, lift the ban on travel for MPs and ensure parliamentary pluralism.

In particular, during the debate on Ukraine in the European Parliament, the European Commissioner for EU Enlargement Marta Kos called the attempt to limit the independence of anti-corruption bodies unacceptable. She also reminded the Ukrainian authorities of the need to comply with the Copenhagen criteria.

“This is not only about the transformation of the state and society, the fight against corruption, the independence of state institutions and democratic bodies. I mean the Copenhagen criteria. It is also about the fact that civil society, the main stakeholders, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine make a very big contribution to this,” Eurocom emphasized.

“The processes regarding the independence of NABU and SAP, which were threatened, have greatly disturbed us. This is unacceptable,” said Marta Kos.

In turn, the permanent rapporteur on Ukraine, MEP Michael Haller, said that Ukraine’s violation of reform commitments would lead to a reduction in EU funding. He called for the resumption of the normal political process in the Verkhovna Rada and the lifting of the ban on parliamentary diplomacy.

We support Ukraine in the reform process, and we receive quarterly reports on the implementation of these tasks. If they are not fulfilled, then the payments will also be reduced. We see the maturity of society, and such mistakes, which may be made, must be corrected. The anti-corruption bodies NABU and SAP were placed under the control of the Prosecutor General’s Office. must use this moment to strengthen reforms, to align security policy and the fight against corruption,” Haller emphasized.

“These steps are not only decisive for the European Union, they strengthen the trust of our own population in our country. Independent justice, transparent processes must be protected. We demand the resumption of political processes in order to preserve parliamentary pluralism and conduct dialogue between political groups in the Verkhovna Rada. Lift travel bans” MEP.

Recall that on the evening of July 22, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law limiting the independence of NABU and SAP . It should be noted that the adoption of this document occurred very quickly. The day before , NABU and SAP employees were subjected to mass searches , and a number of detectives were charged. NABU employees were accused of aiding Russia in helping oligarchs.

The decision has raised serious concerns in the European Union , which said it would affect the annual assessment of Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership. The US Senate has also expressed concern about a recently adopted law in Ukraine that it says weakens the independence of anti-corruption institutions by subordinating them to the prosecutor general.

In addition, due to the adoption of the scandalous law, thousands of people took to the streets to protest in Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine. Soon, Zelensky submitted a new bill on NABU and SAP to the Rada, returning their independence. On July 31, the Verkhovna Rada adopted it, and the president signed the document on the same day.

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