Many in Ukraine's Rada pursue own ends, hinder reform - EU ambassador to Ukraine

13:02, 15.06.2017 1 min read

The Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada's inefficient work is obstructing reform in the country, European Union Ambassador to Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli said.

In analyzing the work being done to harmonize Ukrainian and EU law, it appears that the relevant ministries drew up the bills long ago, and the Rada has registered these bills, but the head of the Rada committee has chosen not to move ahead because he pursues his own interests and does not want to facilitate reform, Mingarelli said while speaking at a panel discussion of the 7th national expert forum organized by Gorshenin Institute in Kyiv on Thursday.

There are quite a lot of people in the Ukrainian parliament who defend their own interests and block reform, he said.

The EU regularly offers its recommendations on making the Ukrainian parliament's work more efficient, Mingarelli said.

If the Rada lacks political will because of the presence of people pursuing their own ends, the government would find it difficult to go ahead with reform in Ukraine, Mingarelli said.