The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) must be reformed in line with EU and NATO standards, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said.

"The reform of the SBU must be in line with the standards and criteria of NATO and the European Union," Poroshenko said during the events commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of the SBU in Kyiv on Wednesday.

According to Poroshenko, the SBU must become an effective service with highly professional staff, who should be equipped with high quality equipment and hi-tech facilities.

Poroshenko also said that the powers of SBU must be enhanced.

"The powers of the SBU must be enhanced...in the spheres of fighting terrorism, the protection of state sovereignty, constitutional order, and the protection of the democratic values of civil society," Poroshenko said.

He added that the Ukrainian security services will never again be involved in political repression and investigations.