Challenges in justice sector discussed with EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality

September 25, 2015

The justice reform progress, the situation in the judiciary and corruption in Ukraine: these were the topics Vera Jourova, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality was particularly interested during her first visit to EUAM Headquarters in Kyiv on 24 September.

Representatives from EUAM, including Head of Mission Kalman Mizsei, and the EU Project ‘Support to Justice Sector Reforms in Ukraine’ were present to brief her about their activities and assessment of the main challenges to reform in the justice sector.

Also major donors were invited alongside EU representatives to present their views.

The discussion largely focused on the overarching problem of corruption in Ukraine. The participants highlighted some areas of progress, notably the ongoing reform efforts in the area of prosecution and in the provision of free legal aid. The importance of good coordination was underlined, as was the need to maintain commitment on the Ukrainian side to guarantee an ongoing reform effort.