As Ukraine progresses on its path toward EU integration,Democracy Reporting Inteational (DRI) is ready to support its jouey. This is why we are excited to kick off the ACCESS u2013 Ukraine project,a new initiative aimed at strengthening Ukraineu2019s legal capacity to align with EU justice standards as negotiations between the UE and the candidate country advance steadily.u00a0u00a0
Over the next two years,DRI will partner with the Rule of Law Centre at the University of Helsinki (ROLC) and the Centre of Policy and Legal Reform (CPLR),to provide critical technical support to Ukraineu2019s Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Specifically,our efforts will focus on Chapters 23 (Judiciary & Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice,Freedom,and Security) of the negotiation agreement.u00a0u00a0
Ukraine’s path toward EU membership has gained significant momentum since the country applied for membership in February 2022 and was granted candidate status by the European Council in June 2022. Recent assessments by the European Commission highlight Ukraine’s progress in fulfilling essential criteria. The ACCESS u2013 Ukraine project can play a crucial role in addressing the most technical and intricate challenges that lie ahead of the accession process.u00a0u00a0
Our comprehensive approach includes gap analyses,upskilling,translation and interpretation of the EU acquis,as well as enhancing transparency. In addition to bridging important capacity gaps,ACCESS u2013 Ukraine also fosters ongoing collaboration with key actors,including the EU delegation and various EU-supported projects,for a more coordinated approach. We believe that this project represents a pivotal step towards securing Ukraine’s future in the EU by bolstering its legal capacity and reinforcing the rule of law.u00a0u00a0
About our partnersu00a0
ACCESS u2013 Ukraine is funded by the Finish Foreign Ministry. The Rule of Law Centre (ROLC)u202fwas established through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the University of Helsinki; it is dedicated to promoting sustainable peace,democracy,and the rule of law in developing contexts. Centre of Policy and Legal Reform (CPLR)u202fis the premier Ukrainian legal and policy think tank. The organisation’s mission is to facilitate institutional reforms in Ukraine to strengthen democracy,the rule of law,and good goveance.u00a0