Ukraine, as an independent state is striving to develop and strengthen a democratic, social, law-based state. To maintain this goal, Ukraine has declared to implement in national legislation standards developed within the Council of Europe such as rule of law, democracy, and human rights.
Ukraine applied to join the Council of Europe On July 14, 1992. By Resolution (92) 29 of 23 September 1992, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe asked the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to give an opinion in accordance with Statutory Resolution (51) 30 A.
By the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of June 30, 1993 № 492 was established the State Interdepartmental Commission on Ukraine's Accession to the Council of Europe. The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Borys Tarasyuk was approved as the Chairman of the Commission. This Commission coordinated the work related to the preparation for Ukraine's accession to the Council of Europe.
In the course of 1994, after separate but co-ordinated visits effected at the request of the Assembly, two eminent jurists reported "spectacular progress" in bringing the constitutional provisions and general legislation of Ukraine into conformity with the Council of Europe's general principles. This report was released on 6 April 1995. It was the basis for the visit of the Assembly's three rapporteurs to Ukraine (Kyiv and Crimea) from 10 to 14 April 1995.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a positive Opinion №190 (1995) (26 September 1995) on Ukraine's application to join the Council of Europe. This conclusion contains obligations to implement the norms and standards of the Council of Europe in national legislation. Ukraine obtained 12 seats in the Parliamentary Assembly.
Accession of Ukraine to the Council of Europe was brought before the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (considering the PACE Opinion № 190) on October 5, 1995. During its 547th meeting held on October 19, 1995 the procedure of Ukraine's accession to this Organization was completed.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine on the accession to the Statute of the Council of Europe, on October 31, 1995. Solemn ceremony of Ukraine's accession to the Council of Europe took place on November 9, 1995, in which the delegation of Ukraine was headed by the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
The Decree of the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of November 13, 1995 №690 / 95-PV "On priority measures in view of Ukraine's accession to the Council of Europe" was adopted.
In accordance with the abovementioned degree, foreseen:
- to establish the composition of the Permanent Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (12 members of the delegation and 12 of their deputies);
- to establish the Permanent Representation of Ukraine to the Council of Europe, to submit proposals regarding material and financial support of its activity, staffing table, personal composition.
Ukraine has made several commitments, and progress is determined by a special monitoring mechanism that applies to Council of Europe member states that are in the process of reforming their national legislation according to the standards of the Council of Europe.