Barroso: EU Expectations of Ukraine Are Mature Democracy and Prospering Economy

KYIV, Ukraine, August 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso issued a statement dedicated to the 20^th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Ukraine, in which he speaks of the long term relationship the EU is willing to establish with Ukraine and mature prospering democracy Europe expects Ukraine to become.

The President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso reckoned that Ukraine had achieved a lot through the years of its independence but has yet to strengthen its sovereignty by conducting constructive reforms. The rule of law, fight against corruption, independence of the court system, and the freedom of the press, according to Barroso, lay the basis for mature democracy and economic prosperity that the EU wants for Ukraine in terms of their long-term cooperation.

José Manuel Barroso recommended Ukraine to explore the interests, expressed by the foreign corporate investors in Ukraine, in order to attract investments to the country. In order to do this Ukraine needs to make noteworthy progress in the immediate future - resolve its tax and regulatory issues, make both systems transparent and guarantee proper copyright and licensing.

According to the EU official, the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine will note Ukraine's remarkable progress in political and economic reforms over the years of independence. However, Europe wants to receive a confirmation of Ukraine's commitment to the major European values: human rights, democracy, freedoms, the rule of law, and the freedom of speech. Barroso also highlighted the importance of public support in the reform process.

Ukraine has already fulfilled a number of its reform commitments by adopting a series of legal documents, such as the law on domestic and foreign policy, new budget and tax codes, anticorruption law. To further enhance its fight against corruption, Ukraine has also introduced new laws on the judicial system and the status of judges. The new Law on Access to Public Information has made transparency of public institutions possible in Ukraine. In addition, the country also undergoes the pension reform.