The delegation stressed the need to adopt constitutional amendments in the second reading by September, in order to provide a solid basis for the reform of the judiciary and the prosecution service and to clarify the composition and powers of local and regional authorities before the October municipal elections. President Buquicchio welcomed the intention to establish a Constitutional Commission this week and underlined the availability of the Venice Commission to assist this Commission. Ms Hanna Suchocka, former prime minister of Poland and Venice Commission member, is ready to take part in meetings of the Constitutional Commission in an advisory capacity.

The Venice Commission will assist the revision of the law on the judicial system and the status of judges as a first step of judicial reform, pending the entry into force of the constitutional amendments. A roundtable on electoral reform is planned for early March which will provide an impetus for the revision of the legislation on parliamentary and municipal elections.

The necessity to bring the lustration framework in line with the applicable international standards was reiterated by both sides. Discussions this week have set the stage for a 12 February visit to Kyiv by a group of Venice Commission members to continue dialogue on the revision of the lustration law in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

Source: CoE Web-site