Ukraine expects invitation to OECD despite NABU scandal

Ukraine expects to be invited to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), despite legislative changes to the independence of anti-corruption bodies. About said press service of the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka.

Kachka discussed these issues during an online meeting with Mary Beth Goodman, Deputy Secretary General of the organization.

"We see the OECD and the potential process of joining the working group as an opportunity to consolidate our country's anti-corruption achievements. Our plan remains unchanged and systematic, and I am convinced that we will be able to demonstrate even more results by the end of this year," Kachka said.

He told Mary Beth Goodman the details of the draft law prepared by the president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to restore independence to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

"Thanks to the coordinated cooperation with experts, law enforcement agencies and international partners, we were able to develop solutions that are expected to be considered by the Parliament this week. We are grateful for the OECD's position and have taken into account all the warnings set out in your letter earlier," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Mr. Kachka expressed his expectation that Ukraine would receive a positive assessment at the next virtual meeting of the OECD Anti-Bribery Working Group, which would allow it to be invited to join the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.

on July 22, after the Rada deprived NABU and SAPO of their independence, the OECD asked President Zelensky to veto the law. They warned that these legislative changes could be viewed by the OECD working group as a weakening of Ukraine's compliance with its commitments and would jeopardize Ukraine's aspirations to join the OECD in the future.

Ukraine hopes to join the organization as early as 2026.

• on July 23, after large protests and reactions of partners Zelenskyy announces a bill that will restore independence to anti-corruption agencies – and MPs must vote for it already on July 31.