EU sees progress in Ukraine's crackdown on corruption

MOSCOW. Dec 2 (Interfax) - The European Union sees the progress achieved by Ukraine in fighting corruption, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas said.

"We see progress in countering corruption. We see progress with regard to several bills that are needed to fulfill these recommendations. At the same time, these are major, difficult issues. There is no easy way to do it," Maasikas said at the Open Ukraine security forum in Kiev on Thursday.

"The Ukrainian government itself has set its deadline for implementing the recommendations by the end of the year. We still have time. I myself am closely watching several bills that are being debated. The European Commission will then present its assessment to the member countries," he said.

At the same time, integration with the European Union is not only about passing legislation but also implementing it, he said.

"The leadership of the country insists that Ukraine will fulfill them [the recommendations]. It should receive such an assessment earlier. The EU usually does it in the fall, in October. The next regular Enlargement Review will be next October. The Ukrainian government insists on a sooner assessment. I cannot predict whether it will happen. What I want to see first is the success in all seven spheres," he said.