FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE AS THE PRECONDITION FOR INTRODUCTION OF VISA-FREE REGIME WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

Nowadays, the only unreformed component, which remains within the legal system of Ukraine is the Ukrainian court system. The main factors that affect the activity of the courts in Ukraine are both political and economic corruption. If we compare the degree of influence on the courts, we can say that the activity of the CCU mostly suffers from political corruption while the economic corruption significantly affects the activity of courts of general jurisdiction.

To implement legal instruments to combat corruption in Ukraine the appropriate system of enforcement bodies has been implemented. It involves the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (hereinafter – NABU), Anti-corruption Prosecutor Office, the National Agency for the Corruption Prevention (hereinafter – NACP) and the Agency for Investigation / Return Assets.

The article defines that unresolved problem is the launch by the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption of the electronic declaration system to be held on 15 August 2016. The launch of e-declaration is an essential is the final commitment of Ukraine to obtain the free visa regime. The final decision on the implementation by Ukraine of the criteria of the Action Plan on Visa Liberalization was approved by the EU Commission on 18 December 2015. The document stipulates that Ukraine fulfilled all the criteria set of four blocks of APVL. Nowadays Ukraine is expecting to get the visa regime from the EU.

In general, for effective implementation of anti-corruption policy in Ukraine should be introduced a systematic approach. The phenomenon of corruption is systemic, and accordingly it must be overcome only by joint efforts. It is necessary to ensure the independence of anti-corruption bodies and prevent their political dependence on the governing bodies; establish effective work of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office and the Agency for Investigation/return assets must; inform the public on their performance; and to provide penalties for officials who committed corruption offenses.