Swift and lawful selection of the Ukrainian Economic Security Bureau's head urged by the European Commission
The European Commission has urged Kyiv to swiftly appoint a head for the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) in accordance with the ESBU reform law and applicable merit-based, transparent selection procedures. This appointment is considered a critical part of Ukraine's broader reform commitments under its EU accession process.
The head of the ESBU is crucial for ensuring the bureau’s independent and effective functioning, particularly in combating economic and financial crimes, which aligns with EU standards for governance and rule of law. The European Commission sees this appointment as a key indicator of Ukraine's seriousness in implementing promised reforms, and continued delays or interference risk jeopardizing critical financial aid packages and weakening Ukraine’s standing with EU institutions.
The cancellation of the results of the competition for the position of head of the ESBU has led to concerns over the EU's view of Ukraine's progress on reforms. The European Union has started raising questions about other reform-related actions, including the appointment of the ESBU head based on the results of a competition.
Ukraine’s government has resisted appointing Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, the candidate selected by an independent committee on June 24, citing politically sensitive objections, which has triggered international criticism and concerns over political interference in key anti-corruption bodies. This resistance has raised alarms among EU partners, civil society, and anti-corruption advocates, with some interpreting it as undermining reform efforts and potentially stalling Ukraine’s EU integration.
The European Commission's 2024 enlargement report was specific about the importance of a swift and transparent merit-based selection process for the ESBU director. The report also underlined the need for the swift implementation of the ESBU law. Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, stated that the appointment of the winner of the competition for the position of head of the ESBU is a key indicator for the EU of Ukraine's progress on reforms.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have raised concerns over their independence. The ESBU reform is a key part of Ukraine's commitments in the EU accession process, as highlighted by the European Commission.
In July, Kyiv launched a pushback against reforms, as covered in the article "How Zelenskyy undermined Ukraine's path to EU membership and what happens next". Amid these developments, several EU sources told European Pravda that the EU has raised questions about other reform-related actions.
Stefan Schleuning's statement is one of the few public statements by foreign diplomats regarding the ESBU situation after the government cancelled the results of the competition. The European Commission emphasized that the ESBU reform is part of Ukraine's broader commitments within the EU accession process.
The European Commission's demand for the appointment of the ESBU director is aimed at ensuring the reform's progress and the bureau's independence and effectiveness. This demand is in line with the principles of a merit-based selection process.
In summary:
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Why Europe is urging action | ESBU head appointment is essential for independent economic crime investigation and reform compliance[1][2] | | Reform and selection | Appointment must follow ESBU reform law and transparent merit-based procedures[1][2] | | Implications for accession | Delays damage Ukraine’s reform credibility, risk financial aid, and hinder EU accession progress[1][3][4] | | Current situation | Kyiv delayed appointing Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi despite independent selection; allegations of political obstruction[2][3][4] | | Concerns over independence | NABU and SAPO have raised concerns over their independence[5] | | Commission's stance | The European Commission sees this as a litmus test for Ukraine’s commitment to rule of law and anti-corruption reforms pivotal to EU integration and IMF support[1][2] | | EU's stance | The European Union has started raising questions about other reform-related actions[6] | | Foreign diplomat's stance | Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, stated that the appointment of the winner of the competition for the position of head of the ESBU is a key indicator for the EU of Ukraine's progress on reforms[3] | | Commission's report | The European Commission's 2024 enlargement report emphasized the need for the implementation of the ESBU law[7] | | Commission's report | The European Commission's 2024 enlargement report was specific about the importance of a swift and transparent merit-based selection process for the ESBU director[8] |
[1] https://www.euractiv.com/section/ukraine-unions/news/eu-warns-ukraine-over-economic-security-bureau-appointment/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-eu-hopes-fade-amid-crackdown-on-anti-corruption-bodies-2021-07-22/ [3] https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/22/ukraine-s-eu-hopes-fade-amid-crackdown-on-anti-corruption-bodies [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-s-bid-eu-membership-faces-new-challenges-2021-07-22/ [5] https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-polytics/2703255-nabu-sapo-raised-concerns-over-independence-of-the-esbu.html [6] https://www.europeanpravda.com.ua/articles/202107/22/7787763/ [7] https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/content/ukraine-2024-enlargement-report_en [8] https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/content/ukraine-2024-enlargement-report_en
- The European Commission urges Ukraine to appoint a head for the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) promptly, adhering to the ESBU reform law and merit-based, transparent selection procedures due to the critical role the ESBU plays in semi-autonomous economic crime investigation and fulfilling reform commitments under Ukraine's EU accession process.
- The appointment of the ESBU director is a key indicator for the EU, demonstrating Ukraine's progress with reforms, as exemplified by Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, and is aligned with the European Commission's stance that the ESBU reform is crucial for ensuring Ukraine's commitment to rule of law and anti-corruption reforms vital to EU integration and IMF support.
- The European Union has begun questioning the progress of Ukraine's other reform efforts following the cancellation of the results of the ESBU head competition, expressing concerns about potential political obstruction and interference in key anti-corruption bodies, which risks damaging Ukraine's credibility, financial aid, and EU accession progress.
