Security Service of Ukraine
The draft law should be consistent with Euro-Atlantic norms, principles, and best practices, the mission chief believes.
Head of the NATO Representation to Ukraine, Alexander Vinnikov, says the draft law on the Security Service on Ukraine (SBU) requires further work.
"The current version of the draft law on the SBU contains a number of important improvements as compared to previous ones that NATO advisers and other international advisers working hand in hand have seen and reviewed," Vinnikov told a reform conference in Kyiv on Tuesday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
"At the same time," he added, "we believe further work is required on this draft to enhance the consistency of the reform with Euro-Atlantic norms, principles, and best practices."
SBU reform: Background
On October 10, SBU Chairman Ivan Bakanov told the G7 ambassadors, heads of the NATO Delegation and the EU Advisory Mission for civilian security sector that complex reforms cannot be implemented quickly.
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As a result of the reform, the SBU chief noted, the agency will gain trust of Ukrainians and become accountable to citizens. In particular, this means a halt to the rudimentary practices of political engagement and corruption, while the SBU's main task will be countering threats to Ukraine's national security.
Bakanov has expressed confidence that clearly defined tasks and competencies, demilitarization of units, as well as increased civil control will mark the beginning of the reform program and allow launching it before the new law on the SBU passes the Rada. At the same time, this will be the first step toward the introduction of a new flexible agency, which will lead to staff cuts, as well as an improvement in the working conditions and additional training for active employees and newly-hired operatives.