KYIV. Aug 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) – As part of the program of financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ukraine has pledged to implement a number of urgent measures for combating corruption.
According to the updated memorandum between Ukraine and the IMF, Kyiv pledges to ensure the activities of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NAB), to provide it with timely access to relevant information from other public institutions by end-September 2015.
The Ukrainian government also promised to ensure the transparent elections of the head of the anti-corruption prosecutors on a competition basis. Kyiv also promised not to make any changes to the Law on Prosecutor’s Office concerning the procedure of appointment of without agreeing them with the IMF.
The Ukrainian government will also ensure that the NAB is fully operational by end-January 2016, allocation of necessary infrastructure (e.g., hardware; software; access to administrative, law enforcement, and commercial databases; vehicles; special tools; investigative material), supported by the appropriate budgetary allocation if necessary, operation of a hotline, including back office to identify cases deserving pre-trial investigation.
Kyiv also pledged to implement the anti-money laundering (AML) framework. The NBU will develop risk-based off-site and on-site AML supervisory tools, focusing on risks related to domestic politically exposed persons, by end-December 2015.
Kyiv also plans to implement asset disclosure requirements for high-level officials. By end-December 2015, the Ministry of Justice will ensure that applicants and newly appointed officials to high-level positions under the NAB’s jurisdiction file their asset disclosures electronically.
In line with legislation, all high-level officials will report their assets electronically by end-April 2016. The disclosures will be directly and freely available to the public on a single website shortly after submission.
By end-December 2015, a law will be adopted which strengthens the provisions in the Code of Civil Procedure on order for payment for domestic transactions and on garnishment of bank accounts.
The updated memorandum envisages that as part of education reforms the number of schools will be reduced by 5% after the end of the 2015-2016 academic year. Expected savings will be reinvested in the sector to upgrade the school and class infrastructure and support student transportation.
