**Ukraine‘s Fight Against Corruption**
Ten years ago, thousands of Ukrainians united to protest a government that ignored their will. This revolution led to a journey towards a European future and a Ukrainian society where corruption would be fought.
Today, on International Anti–Corruption Day, Ukraine and the European Union can celebrate progress made in fighting corruption and implementing rule of law reforms. While much work remains, Ukraine has improved from 144th out of 180 countries in 2013 to 104th place last year.
**Progress Made**
Ukraine’s fight against corruption is linked to its EU integration process. When Ukrainians were asked what they expected from EU accession, fighting corruption ranked first. The European Commission’s enlargement report noted clear progress in this area.
The High Anti-Corruption Court has issued over 220 verdicts, including prison sentences for high-level officials. Ukraine is working on implementing anti-corruption measures across all 35 EU accession chapters, focusing on high-risk sectors like customs and taxation.
**EU Support**
The European Union supports Ukraine’s efforts against corruption through flagship projects like the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative and Pravo-Justice. These projects provide expert advice and support for anti-corruption NGOs and activists.
Ukraine has focused on prevention and transparency, particularly in its early stages of building anti-corruption institutions. Three initiatives have shown results:
1. An electronic asset declaration system that requires over 750,000 officials to submit declarations.
2. Efforts to eliminate corruption in the economy by reforming banking and public procurement systems.
3. The digitization of public services through the Diia application.
**The Fight Continues**
While Ukraine is not yet free of corruption, its progress in combating abusive practices is a reason for hope. Exposure of corruption cases reflects this progress, but the fight against corruption and rule of law must continue.
Building trust in state institutions at all levels is crucial to Ukraine’s future in the EU. The European Union remains committed to supporting Ukraine on its path to economic and social recovery, ensuring that corruption is met with accountability and justice.
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