PM Groysman: Fight against corruption to fail without anti-corruption court

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman believes the fight against corruption will see no success without the creation of an Anti-Corruption Court.

"I think that everyone is aware of how important for society today is the issue of justice and that of an effective and real struggle against corruption. I am deeply convinced that this fight will see no success without the creation of such [anti-corruption] court," Groysman told a joint briefing with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy June 4.

Otherwise, the confidence will be undermined on the part of society, while Ukraine's "international weight will be affected significantly" if the court is not established, the premier said.

Read alsoNBU Governor suggests Parl't to adopt law on anti-corruption court in JuneAs UNIAN reported earlier, on March 1, 2018, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the first reading Bill "On the High Anti-Corruption Court" (No. 7440), introduced by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

On May 23, the parliament began considering the bill in the second reading with 1,927 amendments submitted. The Verkhovna Rada had considered over half of them as of May 24.

One of the most important uncoordinated points in the bill remains the norm on the powers of the Public Council of International Experts in selecting judges.

The key claim by international partners and NGOs is constraints on the advisory role of international experts in the process of selecting and appointing judges. According to Ukraine's international partners, including the International Monetary Fund, the full role of international experts in the appointment of judges is the key to the court independence and its effective performance.

Read alsoPoroshenko says Ukraine to continue cooperation with IMFAs was earlier reported, one of the IMF key requirements to continue cooperation with Ukraine is the creation of an independent anti-corruption court consistent with the recommendations of the Venice Commission. The fulfillment of the IMF requirements is required to repay the country's external debts in the coming years.

According to economist Anders Aslund, an expert at the Atlantic Council, the termination of the IMF-Ukraine cooperation will lead to a significant devaluation of the hryvnia.

Ukraine's prime minister on June 4 threatened to quit if parliament failed to enable the creation of a special anti-corruption court.

Verkhovna Rada Chairman Andriy Parubiy says the bill may be adopted by the parliament on Thursday, June 7.