Secretary General Jagland reiterates that the Council of Europe is on the side of Ukraine and its people, as the country take steps to put in place a fully independent, efficient and professional judicial system.

”As we reach the midterm of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine, I take this opportunity to welcome the progress made by Ukraine towards reforming its judicial system to guarantee its independence, efficiency and accountability. The effective implementation of a comprehensive and holistic justice sector reform is a long-term and challenging endeavour for any country. I therefore appreciate Ukraine’s commitment to reforming its justice sector and to doing so in line with European standards.

A significant progress was achieved with the development of an updated legal framework for the judiciary, together with the adoption of strategic policy documents. New laws on the public prosecution service, on anti-corruption agencies, on the police and on the state bureau of investigation have been adopted. They can pave the way for further necessary structural and procedural changes within the justice sector. The Council of Europe is ready to continue its already intensive support for this process through our expertise and advice. The successful completion of this profess will require additional efforts. The effective functioning of the newly established anti-corruption institutions, the further enhancement of the free legal aid system, the effective functioning of the bar, as well as the improvement of the execution of domestic courts’ judgments and of judgements of the ECtHR, are crucial.

The Ukrainian people have demonstrated their strong desire to strive for the democratic development of the country, the effective protection of human rights, and respect for the rule of law. I would like to call upon the Ukrainian authorities to take all necessary remaining steps to bring the judicial reform to a successful completion in line with the expectations of the Ukrainian people and in compliance with the European standards. Further progress is needed to achieve stability in the country and restore public trust in the judiciary. Judicial reform is a pre-condition for the success of reforms in other sectors too, including economic growth and the prospects for foreign investment.

Most of the progress achieved will remain fragile if it is not consolidated in the Constitution, which should become a basis of the national unity. The reform process require a solid Constitutional basis. This is why the adoption of the draft Constitutional amendments prepared by the Constitutional Commission and presented by President Poroshenko to the Verkhovna Rada is an essential and decisive step on the way to successfully reform.

I would like to reiterate that the Council of Europe is and will remain on the side of Ukraine and its people, as the country takes the important steps to put in place a fully independent, efficient and professional judicial system.”

• Letter to Yuriy Lutsenko, Prosecutor General of Ukraine