Reuters has noted that a draft of the upcoming European Commission report states that Ukraine demonstrates a "remarkable commitment" to joining the EU but must reverse recent negative trends in the fight against corruption and accelerate reforms in the area of the rule of law.

Source : Reuters, citing the text of the draft report by the European Commission

Details : The text, which forms part of the EU enlargement report due to be adopted on Tuesday 4 November, states that "despite the very difficult circumstances the country finds itself in on account of Russia's war of aggression, Ukraine continued to demonstrate remarkable commitment to the EU accession path over the past year".

While highly praising Ukraine for launching reforms, the European Commission also noted that Kyiv must make further progress in ensuring judicial independence, tackling organised crime and respecting civil society.

European officials had previously expressed concern over measures taken in July to increase the control of Ukraine's Prosecutor General over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

The rare protests during wartime forced Ukraine's leadership to quickly change course, but the episode drew attention of supporters of Ukraine in Brussels and other EU capitals.

"Recent negative trends, including a growing pressure on the specialised anti-corruption agencies and civil society, must be decisively reversed," the draft text of the Commission says.

Although almost all EU governments publicly support Ukraine's aspirations to join the bloc, its accession is not expected in the near future and many diplomats acknowledge that Ukraine's entry will face significant obstacles.

The Ukrainian government has informed the EU that it intends to complete accession talks by the end of 2028. The Commission said that Kyiv must step up its efforts to achieve this.

"The Commission is committed to support this ambitious objective but considers that to meet it an acceleration of the pace of reforms is required, notably with regards to the fundamentals, in particular rule of law," the draft reads.

In its forthcoming report, the Commission will also propose stronger protection of democratic standards in future rounds of enlargement.

"To ensure that new Member States continue to safeguard and maintain their track record on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, the Commission considers that future Accession Treaties should contain stronger safeguards against backsliding on commitments made during the accession negotiations," Reuters quotes the draft report as saying.

Reuters noted that Ukraine applied for EU membership just days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. It has continued to push for progress on the matter despite the challenges posed by the war and Hungary, an EU member, blocking Kyiv's move to the next stage of talks.

Previously : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the eve of the publication of the enlargement package – reports by the Commission on the progress of candidate countries.

Background :

• A summit on EU enlargement, described as an unprecedented event, will be held in Brussels on 4 November, bringing together countries at the level of national leaders. According to European Pravda, Zelenskyy will join remotely.
• The timing of the summit coincides with the European Commission's presentation of this year's report on the progress of candidate countries, including Ukraine.
• On 4 November, the EU is also expected to approve the fifth tranche of funding for Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon !