The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine reported on April 24, 2023, that in Kyiv, representatives of the Council of Europe and the Ukrainian Government presented an Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” (2023-2026). This plan is aimed at strengthening the stability of Ukrainian state institutions, strengthening democratic governance and the rule of law, and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens.
Source: The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine
The Action Plan will support Ukraine’s efforts to comply with its obligations as a member state of the Council of Europe and implement European integration reforms in accordance with the decision of the European Council in June 2022 to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for the EU.
“During the next four years, we will continue working with the Ukrainian authorities to address their needs and priorities notably in the areas of constitutional justice, combatting corruption and money-laundering; developing an independent, effective and trusted justice; promoting freedom of expression and freedom of media, strengthening protection of the rights of national minorities,” said Dr Claus Neukirch, Director of the Directorate of Programme Coordination of the Council of Europe.
Thanks to the resources already involved, as of January 1, 2023, 18 projects have been launched, which cover the protection of the rights of internally displaces persons and people affected by the war; documenting and investigating human rights violations in wartime conditions; fighting against discrimination; support for the functioning of the judicial system; ensuring media freedom and strengthening ethics and others.
“The participants of the meeting repeatedly emphasized the positive results of the previous cooperation between Ukraine and the Council of Europe regarding the introduction of the best European practices and standards in the sphere of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Ukraine. They also expressed readiness for the further work within the framework of the new Action Plan for strengthening internal reforms, countering Russian aggression and getting closer to EU membership,” added the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine.
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