On March 3, 2020, Ms Verena Taylor, Director of the Office of the Directorate General of Programmes of the Council of Europe, Mr Steen Nørlov, newly appointed Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, and Ms Olena Lytvynenko, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, discussed with Ms Valentyna Danishevska, President of the Supreme Court topical issues of cooperation to support the implementation of judicial reform in Ukraine.

The parties noted that ensuring the judiciary's efficient functioning and better access to justice are strategically essential tasks. And for their implementation, the Council of Europe seeks to continue to provide support, Ms Verena Taylor, Director of the Office of the Directorate General of Programmes of the Council of Europe, said. An essential step in this painstaking joint work is the launch of a new Council of Europe Project "Support for judicial institutions and processes to strengthen access to justice in Ukraine", Mr Steen Nørlov, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine marked.

The project started on March 1, 2021, and will last until December 31, 2022, implemented by the Justice and Legal Co-operation Department of the Council of Europe. The main goal is to support the judiciary of Ukraine in ensuring better access to justice as a result of changes in relevant legislation and the proper functioning of courts, courts and the system of free legal aid under Council of Europe standards and recommendations.

Ms Valentyna Danishevska, President of the Supreme Court, stressed the importance and importance of the Council of Europe's support to the Supreme Court and other judicial authorities in improving access to justice, ensuring the unity of judicial practice, improving judicial legislation and providing free legal aid in line with Council of Europe standards and best practices.

In her turn, Ms Olena Lytvynenko, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, noted that the Council of Europe, within the framework of existing projects and following the goals and objectives set by the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-2022 will continue to provide the necessary expert support and technical assistance to harmonize Ukrainian legislation and practice in the field of justice with European standards.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the challenges facing the Supreme Court and the judicial system of Ukraine in general, the work of courts in a coronavirus pandemic, issues of public confidence in the judiciary.