The regional office of the European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM) opened in Odesa on March 7.
“The EU Advisory Mission was created in order to help with reform process and the fact that we are now opening a third regional presence and in doing so extending our support to Odesa shows that we are increasing our commitment in this regard,” said Kenneth Deane, the Civilian Operations Commander for the European Union’s civilian Common Security and Defence Policy Missions.
He also added that the mission would focus its efforts on justice and law enforcement with the aim of strengthening Ukrainian society’s confidence in the relevant agencies.
Deane stressed the importance of further reforms and the fight against corruption, without which the development of the law enforcement system is impossible.
For his part, head of Odesa State Regional Administration Maksym Stepanov promised full support for EUAM in the region. “After all, we need it,” he said, adding that he was confident in the high efficiency of the work of the mission.
In the short term, approximately 20 EUAM staff members – a combination of local and international experts – will start working in Odesa.
