Ukraine working on clear vision of implementation of Venice Commission conclusions

The Ukrainian side is already working to develop a clear vision of their implementation for the following years, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna told Ukrinform in a comment.

“We continue to work on the implementation of the seven recommendations of the European Commission necessary to switch to the next level of the process of joining the European Union – opening of negotiations. On June 10-13, the Venice Commission published three opinions on two laws [on de-oligarchization and national minorities] and one draft law [on the procedure for selecting Constitutional Court judges].

The texts of the conclusions and recommendations did not come as a surprise to us, and we are already working to develop a clear vision of further steps for their implementation,” Stefanishyna said.

At the same time, she drew attention to several points. In particular, commenting on the opinion on draft law No. 9322 on improving the procedure for selecting judges of the Constitutional Court, Stefanishyna noted that the Venice Commission supported the proposed approach.

“On the same day when the opinion was published, the draft law was passed at first reading, it is currently being prepared for the second, taking into account the positions expressed by the Venice Commission,” the government official informed.

She also noted that long consultations were held regarding the so-called anti-oligarchic law. “In its opinion, the Venice Commission recommended postponing the implementation of the law. After the war, we will make a comprehensive assessment of it and return to this issue. Meanwhile, the Venice Commission called for the implementation of systemic steps discussed earlier, and we have confirmed our readiness to do so,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

Stefanishyna also added that the Venice Commission welcomed the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On National Minorities (Communities)” and praised the cooperation of the Ukrainian side in preparing the conclusion on it.

“We are grateful for this dialogue. At the same time, the arguments of the Ukrainian side were not fully heard. We emphasized the importance of taking into account the context, that is, the fact of the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine. Unfortunately, the conclusion lacks an understanding of the sensitivity of a number of issues and peculiarities of the Ukrainian case,” she stated.

In this context, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that although the subject of consideration was the framework law adopted by the Parliament last December, the Venice Commission included recommendations regarding other laws.

“Currently, we are examining the conclusion and preparing a vision of further steps. At the same time, I would like to note that extensive systematic work is underway on the state target program for the protection of the rights and opportunities of national minorities (communities). Part of the recommendations of the Venice Commission will be taken into account in the program, the concept of which has already been approved by the government,” Stefanishyna informed.

She also noted that dozens of consultations were held with representatives of national minorities (communities), and experts from the Council of Europe and the European Commission were involved in the elaboration of these documents.

As reported, on June 13, the Venice Commission published its opinion on the Law “On National Minorities (Communities)”, in which it recommended Ukraine revise some provisions of this European integration law, as well as on the Law of Ukraine “On the Prevention of Threats to National Security, Associated with Excessive Influence of Persons Having Significant Economic or Political Weight in Public Life (Oligarchs)” with a recommendation to postpone its implementation due to war.