The EU called the low level of Ukraine’s readiness to join the Union

The EU believes that Ukraine as a whole is still at an early stage of preparation for joining the European Union. This was reported by RIA Novosti with reference to an analytical report published by the European Commission on assessing Ukraine’s readiness for such a process.

It is noted that in such standard reports for candidate countries, the EC assesses the ability to fulfill the obligations arising from membership in the European Union.

The EC carefully analyzed each sector of the economy of Ukraine and the reforms it is implementing, and, based on the results of the study, issued a verdict that most of the sectors of the economy of this country are at an “early” or “certain” level of readiness to start the accession process. At the same time, the “advanced” level of readiness for the start of the accession process by Ukraine, envisaged by experts for EU candidates, has not yet been achieved in any of the studied areas.

In particular, according to the document, the experts had claims to the financial control system of Ukraine. “Ukraine is at an early stage of preparation for the implementation of EU legislation and the application of European financial control standards. Full compliance with EU norms will require reforming the Accounts Chamber of Ukraine to clearly enshrine its independence in the constitution, expand its mandate and apply international standards in audit procedures. In general, internal audit in Ukraine is not yet developed,” the report says.

Also, the “early” level of training was recorded by European experts in the field of free movement of labor, the implementation of intellectual property legislation, social policy and employment, environmental protection and combating climate change, agriculture and rural development, and fisheries. In these sectors, Ukraine also needs to carry out ambitious reforms, update legislation, strengthen coordination, control and transparency.

The “certain” level has been achieved by the country, for example, in the field of justice, freedoms and security. However, the EC noted weak inter-institutional coordination in the field of migration and control.

“The legislation on visa policy and asylum is generally in line with EU standards. Cooperation and coordination between institutions is low, especially in migration and border control issues, which leads to poor implementation of tasks,” the report states.

Also in the Commission, a “certain” level of training was found in the field of public procurement, statistics, free movement of capital, competition policy, financial services, consumer protection and health protection, taxation, business and industrial policy, education and culture, transport policy and the development of trans-European networks, regional policy, system of own resources, financial and budget allocations. These sectors also need to continue reforms, bring them into line with European standards and requirements, improve coordination, control and transparency.

The EU noted a “moderate” level of readiness in the field of digitalization and media, economic and monetary policy, science and research, and food security of Ukraine. A “good” level of preparation for integration is recorded in the field of external cooperation, foreign policy and security, the implementation of the customs union and the energy sector. Although in these areas the EU insists on continuing reforms and strengthening control and coordination with European institutions.