‘Speed, High Performance, Efficiency, Expertise’: EU Project Pravo-Justice Summarises the Results of Its Work in January-June 2024

On Thursday, 11 July, the first Steering Committee Meeting of the third phase of EU Project Pravo-Justice took place to present the results of the six months of work and discuss future plans. The event was traditionally attended by representatives of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, the Embassy of France in Ukraine, Expertise France, national stakeholders and the Project team.

Oksana Tsymbrivska, EU Project Pravo-Justice Team Leader, briefed the participants on how the Project is managed. She emphasised that future activities will be adjusted to reflect the challenges caused by the war and the EU accession process.

“Of course, we will support all initiatives contributing to the negotiation process, harmonisation of national legislation with the EU acquis, etc. We will also work with our partners on attitudes and values. After all, we understand that Ukraine will become a full-fledged EU Member State only when the principles of the rule of law and democracy are enshrined not only on paper but will also become part of the daily lives of all Ukrainians,” she said.

Liudmyla Suhak, Deputy Minister of Justice for European Integration and Head of the Steering Committee of EU Project Pravo-Justice, noted that the Project is one of the largest partners of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and provides support in various areas. She described the cooperation between EU Project Pravo-Justice and the Ministry of Justice with the words “speed, high performance, efficiency, expertise”.

In the context of new challenges, particularly the launch of accession negotiations between Ukraine and the EU, the Deputy Minister said she was confident that the cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the Project would be as effective and fast as ever.

“Within our dialogue and constructive cooperation, we will achieve all our goals,” emphasised Liudmyla Suhak.

Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said that EU Project Pravo-Justice is EU flagship programme in the rule of law sector. The Project has been providing support to Ukraine in reforming the justice sector for many years. In the context of the official launch of accession negotiations between Ukraine and the EU, as well as the implementation of the Ukraine Facility plan, the role of the Project has become even more critical.

“Many donors support judicial reform, but on Ukraine’s path to the EU, EU Project Pravo-Justice is a key programme that, among other things, is to coordinate other assistance. We are working closely with our American, British and other friends and partners. We are grateful for their support, but it is essential that it is provided place within a common framework led by the EU,” he emphasised.

François Cottel, Political Counsellor at the Embassy of France in Ukraine, noted that France, in close cooperation with the EU, will support Ukraine as long as necessary on its way to the EU.

He emphasised the vital role played by EU Project Pravo-Justice in implementing reforms in Ukraine. According to him, negotiating chapters 23 ‘Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights and Freedoms’ and 24 ‘Justice, Freedom, Security’ are of paramount importance in the negotiation process because the values enshrined in them are fundamental to Western democracies and key to EU membership.

“We must use every tool and opportunity to help Ukraine implement reforms and, in particular, to strengthen the rule of law. In this regard, coordination is crucial, and EU Project Pravo-Justice will play a crucial role in this regard,” he emphasised.

Matthieu Discour, Director of the Governance Department at Expertise France, emphasised that EU Project Pravo-Justice is also a flagship programme implemented by Expertise France. He assured that Expertise France will continue to help implement key reforms in the justice sector to transform Ukraine into a modern and successful EU Member State.

“The number of activities implemented in the first six months demonstrates the overall success of the Project. In the coming months, we will continue to tailor our activities to the needs of the beneficiaries and contribute to implementing EU agenda, particularly the Ukraine Facility plan,” said the Director of the Governance Department of Expertise France.

Hryhorii Usyk, Chair of the High Council of Justice, spoke about the current challenges faced by the judiciary in Ukraine and drew attention to the lack of staff in the judiciary. According to him, the number of judges who have resigned over the past eighteen months is higher than the number of judges recently sworn in.

“As for promoting judicial reform, the rule of law and access to justice are of particular focus for the EU. At the same time, due to the staff shortage in the judiciary, it is quite difficult to consolidate these principles in Ukraine. Therefore, the HQCJ and the HCJ should dedicate all their efforts to solving this problem,” emphasised Hryhorii Usyk.

The HCJ Chair also thanked EU Project Pravo-Justice for its comprehensive and integrated support in addressing current challenges and strengthening the capacity of the judiciary.

Viktoriia Litvinova, Deputy Prosecutor General, spoke about the assistance provided by EU Project Pravo-Justice to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine in implementing systemic changes on the path to European integration, strengthening the rule of law, punishing war criminals and restoring justice for victims.

“The number of crimes committed by the aggressor on the territory of Ukraine poses an unprecedented challenge. That is why the assistance of our international partners, in particular EU Project Pravo-Justice, is invaluable,” she said.

Oleksii Movchan, Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Economic Development Committee, also highlighted the Project’s special role in implementing reforms. According to him, this cooperation will only intensify as the Committee has requested the EU Project Pravo-Justice to designate the Committee as its beneficiary.

“Over the 5 years we have been working together, we have implemented more reforms with the EU Project Pravo-Justice alone than some committees in general. I believe that we deserve to become the Project’s beneficiary and work more efficiently on other tasks in the context of European integration,” emphasised Oleksii Movchan.

Alban Biaussat, Sectoral Manager at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, noted that one of the goals of EU Project Pravo-Justice is to increase public trust in justice in Ukraine. According to him, EU Project Pravo-Justice is the flagship EU programme in the justice sector.

“It will play a central role in coordinating various stakeholders, including increased support from foreign partners,” he emphasised.

To learn more about the key results of EU Project Pravo-Justice, please follow the link (.pdf).