Ukraine's recovery to go quicker, more efficiently provided transparency, accountability of use of funding - G7 ambassadors

MOSCOW. June 14 (Interfax) - In the run up to a Ukraine Recovery Conference, the ambassadors of the Group of Seven countries met with the Association of Ukrainian Cities, representatives of Transparency International, DEJURE Foundation, Anti-Corruption Action Center, and RISE Network Ukraine "to discuss the importance of autonomous local government, strong anti-corruption institutions, and transparency of recovery funding for Ukraine," the ambassadors of the G7 countries said in a statement.

"Decentralization has been a major reform success for Ukraine and autonomous local government a key part of Ukraine's resistance and resilience. It is important that local governments are empowered and equal partners in planning for reconstruction," Ukrainian media quoted the statement the ambassadors published on social media.

The ambassadors insisted that transparency and accountability are key to maximize the efficient use of recovery funding and that citizens, civil society organizations (CSO), and the media should have access to data about recovery plans, funding allocations, and implementation, while journalists, CSOs, and anti-corruption institutions should be able to investigate the use of funding.

"Empowered local government, transparency and accountability of funding, and strong anti-corruption institutions - all of these elements will be required to ensure that Ukraine's recovery proceeds as quickly and efficiently as possible," the G7 ambassadors said.