OECD ready to help Ukraine eliminate corruption risks in post-war reconstruction process

OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann said this during an event dedicated to cooperation between Ukraine and the OECD, Ukrinform reports, citing the Ukrainian President's Office.

Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak, in turn, said that the OECD should be one of the key international players during the reconstruction of Ukraine and the country's membership in the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions will play an important role in strengthening anti-corruption policy.

Yermak, who heads the group on approaching membership in the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions, said that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is a unique intergovernmental center of knowledge and a powerful player on the international stage, whose opinions and conclusions are taken into account by the EU, IMF, World Bank, EBRD, U.S. and G20.

He noted that the OECD is participating in the development of the Recovery Plan for Ukraine.

"The experience and capabilities of the Organization are extremely valuable, even unique for post-war reconstruction. Therefore, the OECD should be one of the key international players during the reconstruction of Ukraine," he said.

According to Yermak, today Ukraine is fighting for its future, and therefore transparency in relations with other states, which is the basis of trust, is of particular importance.

"We are doing everything to increase trust in Ukraine. Every Ukrainian is fighting on his own front: the Armed Forces, volunteers, doctors, rescuers, civil servants. The entire Ukrainian nation. But we understand that trust is a phenomenon that must be nurtured all the time. And we are working on it," he said.

He said that post-war Ukraine should become attractive for investments, and that is why Ukrainian state institutions should inspire confidence among investors.

"It is important for us not just to rebuild Ukraine. Our goal is to build a successful and comfortable country. With a dynamic and extensive economy according to the best world standards, with improved legislation," Yermak said.

According to him, the state is working on strengthening anticorruption institutions, because the fight against corruption is one of the fundamental values for Ukraine.

"That is why the status of a candidate, and then membership in the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions is extremely important for us," he said.

Cormann, for his part, noted that the OECD stands with Ukraine and is determined to help together with international partners in the post-war reconstruction of the country.

He said that the OECD is ready to help Ukraine so that corruption risks do not stand in the way of the reconstruction process.

He said that the OECD has been extremely active in cooperating with Ukraine since 2014, in particular helping build institutions. And in the latest report of the Organization, which came out in May, significant progress in Ukrainian anticorruption legislation was noted.

Cormann emphasized the importance of efforts to increase transparency in the public sphere, in particular, in the issue of avoiding conflicts of interest and ensuring integrity. Also, according to him, it is extremely important to protect anticorruption bodies from attacks.

He noted that he was extremely pleased to receive Ukraine's application for participation in the OECD Working Group, the process of joining which brings the country closer to the standards of the Organization and the UN Convention against Corruption.

He said that the submission of the application is a confirmation of the determination of the Ukrainian authorities to advocate anticorruption reforms and adhere to OECD standards.