On 28 May, the External relations committee of the European Parliament stressed that the judicial reforms in Ukraine should be adopted before the November Eastern Partnership Summit.
The member of the Committee met with the Ukrainian foreign minister, Leonid Kozhara who told MEPs that “Ukraine is on the right track” in implementing its reform agenda agreed at the last summit with EU. The February’s Summit concluded that the judicial reforms in Ukraine together with the rule of law establishment are critical elements for the successful conclusion of the Association Agreement between the two parts.
During his meeting with the MEPs, Kozhara highlighted the initiatives of the Ukrainian government in regard with strengthening the independence of the judiciary, and reforming the criminal procedures. In addition he talked about the reforms in the role of the prosecutor and the electoral process. However, the Foreign Minister stressed that the implementation of the political reforms will “take time,” as the change of mindset is a timely needed process.
On the other hand, the MEPs underlined the need to end the practice of the selective justice in Ukraine, step up coordination over EU issues at parliamentary level and ensure an effective change of approach towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
The EU Easter Partnership summit will be held on 28-29 November in Vilnius, Lithuania. According to the Lithuanian Tribune, during the summit EU may sign an Association and Free Trade agreement with Ukraine. However, this will depend from the judicial reforms in Ukraine.
Still Lithuanian Parliamentary speaker Vydas Gedvillas said on 3 May, “I believe that the upcoming Vilnius Eastern Partnership summit is a historic opportunity for Europe and Ukraine, as well as other partners.”
