The first meeting of the Subcommittee “Justice, Freedom and Security” of the EU-Ukraine Association Committee has started

 “Justice, freedom, security – these words remind us of the huge array of reforms implemented by Ukraine. And we feel our European partners’ support in implementing them. We can state that there is significant transformation progress in these sectors, compared to previous years. We look forward to further dialogue in order to achieve reforms’ effective promotion”, - stated Anton Yanchuk, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine.

“It is important to focus on structural reforms and combating corruption. Unfortunately Ukraine still has certain difficulties and it is important for our country to follow the footsteps of reforms and we are ready to support it”, - emphasized Dirk Schuebel, Head of the EEAS Eastern partnership department.

State of implementation of the Action plan on visa regime liberalization, namely – implementation of UA and EU Agreement has been discussed during the meeting. Prevention and combating corruption; rule of law; judicial reform, including reforms of prosecutor’s office and law enforcement agencies; legal cooperation; personal data protection; prevention and combating organized crime and other illegal actions; border management, migration and asylum issues, etc. – such issues have been also on the agenda.

It has been emphasized that intensive cooperation between Ukraine and European partners should bring positive results. And it already did: every third visa issued is free of charge; up to 52% of multi-entry visas; cooperation Agreements between Europol and Eurojust; negotiations on forming of a Joint UA-EU authority for monitoring of EU funds expenditures, etc.

Participants also noted that Ukraine should focus on implementing recommendations, announced in European commission’s May report. Parties emphasized that this processes’ success is important for both sides.