EU envoy hails Ukraine's moves to reform judiciary

Kyiv's ambassador to the European Union said on Tuesday (10 January) that Kyiv is close to achieving a significant milestone in its reform of its judiciary system. This important step will be taken before beginning accession negotiations with the 27-member bloc.

Ambassador Matti Maasikas congratulated the appointment of eight members of Ukraine's High Council of Justice, which is an important body that appoints and dismisses judges. It was part of reforms to the judiciary.

When it offered Ukraine the status as a candidate member, the European Commission, which is the EU's executive body, made reforming its judiciary one of its major recommendations despite Russia's invasion.

Maasikas tweeted, "Within reach milestone in reforming Ukraine’s court system, as advocated, supported by partners including the EU for years.

"I am confident that the Ukrainian judges will rise up to the occasion."

The Ukrainian parliament passed all legislation requested by the EU before the talks begin, the speaker said last month. However, it is widely believed that the road to EU membership will be long and may take a decade.

Some watchdogs also warn that powerful interests may be prepared to resist reforms, particularly in the judicial system.

"They don't want to have any disciplinary body," stated Mykhailo Zhernakov (department of DEJURE Foundation), which oversees judicial reforms.

Zhernakov and other critics have raised concerns about a new law that governs the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court. They claim it allows for political manipulation.

Frans Timmermans is an executive vice president of the European Commission. He visited Kyiv Monday and President Volodymyr Zilenskiy talked by telephone with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, about plans for a 3 February EU-Ukraine summit.

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