“Corruption is a key internal problem in Ukraine. Without an effective counteraction we won’t achieve any positive changes in any public life sector. Corruption is a barrier to investment flows, a tool for unfair and inefficient use of public funds. That is why minimization of corruption is a priority Government”, - stated the First Deputy Minister.
She informed the audience that combating corruption has been added to the program of activity of the Cabinet of Ministers and the coalition agreement. Particularly what has been done: adoption of an anti-corruption set of laws and a new Anti-corruption strategy for 2014-2017, as well as the State program for the period until 2017 has been approved. Apart from that, a National Council for Anti-Corruption Policy has been established by the President of Ukraine.
According to Natalia Sevostyanova launching the National anti-corruption bureau of Ukraine – a law enforcement agency, responsible for combating corruption among senior officials, judges and law enforcement officers – is one of the key tasks for Ukrainian Government. Currently, in result of an open competition, the Director of the newly established body was elected and the deputy directors of National Bureau were appointed. A competition for vacant positions has also been launched.
“Equally important is to launch a new authority - the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, responsible for anti-corruption policies and preventive anti-corruption activity, as well as financial control regarding the property status of public officials”, - stated the First Deputy Minister of Justice.
Together with experts from the World Bank the work on the development of open electronic register of declarations on property officials has already begun. This process is scheduled to end in 2015
Another important anti-corruption tool should be a check on the integrity of officials by corruption simulated situations. Openness of public registers will also ensure reducing corruption. And in fall, the information about use of state and local budges will also become open.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the OECD for the support, provided in combating corruption in Ukraine. I am positive that OECD experience will significantly increase the effectiveness of anti-corruption reforms that are currently being implemented in Ukraine”, - summarized Natalia Sevostyanova.