Ukraine’s law enforcement reforms need coordinated action across government, Parliament and the agencies responsible for putting them into practice. EUAM Ukraine provides strategic and technical advice to help Ukrainian partners overcome obstacles and advance civilian security sector reforms. These reforms support Ukraine’s path towards EU membership while the country faces Russia’s war of aggression.

An important mechanism for this work is the Coordination Council overseeing implementation of Ukraine’s Overarching Strategic Plan for law enforcement reform. Delivering on the Plan is one of Ukraine’s commitments in the EU accession process. Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Vsevolod Chentsov and co-chaired by Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Vyhivskyi, the Council connects expert proposals with the senior political decisions needed to move reforms forward. EUAM supports this Ukrainian-led framework by helping assess progress and develop practical recommendations on issues requiring agreement between institutions.

At its second meeting on 29 September, attended by EUAM Head of Mission Cornelia Taylor, the Council approved the concept for a draft Law on Law Enforcement Agencies. It also established a working group to develop the text with MPs and consult the European Commission.

The concept envisages an exhaustive list of law enforcement agencies, clear criteria for defining them and a division of their responsibilities. It also covers common rules for service and the award of ranks, updated disciplinary provisions and effective democratic civilian oversight. These provisions would guide how institutions cooperate and remain accountable to the people they serve.

“Our shared measure of progress should be the changes these reforms bring to institutions and to people’s lives across Ukraine,” said Cornelia Taylor in her opening remarks at the Coordination Council meeting.

The working group held its first meeting on 9 October and began examining the draft law’s provisions with MPs and European partners, including EUAM Ukraine experts.

Photos by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine