The Special Advisor of the Secretary General (SASG) welcomes the address by the President of Ukraine on 16 February 2016 stressing the need for rapid implementation of the Public Prosecution Service reform. “This is a solid encouragement for speedy and meaningful action to fulfil one of the outstanding commitments which Ukraine undertook when joining the Council of Europe: The transformation of the Prokuratura into a modern prosecution service. The people in Ukraine need a Prosecution Service which functions independently, in accordance with the rule of law, pursues a zero tolerance policy towards corruption and enjoys public trust”, the SASG said.

The Council of Europe has been providing long-term support to the reform of the Public Prosecution Service in Ukraine and will continue to do so. One of the key aspects of this reform is the removal of any constitutional basis for the Prosecutors’ power to supervise legality in general, a function that has led to numerous abuses and corruption in the past. “The sooner these reforms are consolidated through the Constitutional reform, the better the whole Ukrainian reform agenda will be implemented”, said the SASG.