In the next three years, Ukraine has a unique opportunity to carry out the long-awaited reform of the judiciary, which is crucial for EU and NATO integration.
This was emphasized by Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Development of Justice".
"Trust in justice, an efficient judicial system is a key to Ukraine's independence. Today we have a unique chance when there is political will and readiness for transformation. The Constitution of Ukraine already enshrines the course for membership in the European Union and NATO," said Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna. "When we talk about our Euro-Atlantic aspirations and the desire to 'link Ukraine with the Western world', we mean the achievement of clear criteria - the functioning of a market economy, the rule of law, the efficiency of institutions and public administration."
She added that Ukraine is already making progress in reforming the judiciary. These include an effective system of free legal aid, the renewal of the Supreme Court and the establishment of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court.
"I admire the large number of judges who work 100% every day due to lack of staff. But the picture is not perfect, and there is a lot of work ahead. We are not on the threshold of another judicial reform, but of a great transformation of the whole country. None of us has the right to give up and waste this historic chance," stressed Olha Stefanishyna.
During the Forum, the Legal Reform Commission presented the main provisions of the draft Justice Reform Strategy. The Deputy Prime Minister called for a discussion of the project and a joint effort to reform the judiciary.
