March 29. 2024. 12:21

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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy promises legal overhaul to aid EU entry bid


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday (11 May) that he had approved a reform plan for the criminal justice and law enforcement system, a crucial element of plans to ensure a quick entry into the European Union.

Ukraine has applied to join the 27-nation group in order to repel Russia’s invasion.

The EU considers the end of endemic corruption and upgrades to legislation, as well as improvements to the judiciary to be key elements to anchoring Ukraine to Western institutions.

Zelenskiy stated in his video nightly address that "we must create a system which guarantees justice and the rule of law within our country in order to achieve our goal of joining the EU as quickly as possible."

He said that the changes would be part a new contract social to ensure people feel safe and protected.

"Trust is based on trusting those who act for the state." "Law enforcement, the prosecution system and everyone in the state apparatus are key to this," he said.

It can take several years for an EU membership application to be processed. This is because it takes time to bring the laws and regulations of the candidate nation into compliance with the rules enforced by this bloc.

Zelenskiy, however, wants to speed up the process and start negotiations for membership this year. He stated that the work on the new document will continue until 2027.

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Zelenskiy’s administration has already changed legislation and implemented measures to support key institutions in order to secure funding from institutions such as the International Monetary Fund.

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