West raises concern on Ukraine corruption

Western institutions raised concerns about corruption in Ukraine recently. The nation’s defense industry poses high corruption risks, said Transparency International in a Jan. 29 report analyzing global defense corruption. EU Representative to Ukraine Jan Tombinski told Justice Minister Oleksandr Lavrynovych in a Jan. 29 that judicial reform is a key task as the Ukraine and EU negotiate their Association Agreement.

Zenon Zawada: Combating corruption is critical for Ukraine’s economic growth and working towards the Association Agreement’s signing in November will advance that lofty goal. Top level officials, however, can’t expect the middle rungs to address corruption if they don’t weed it out from their own circles. For instance, a Swiss newspaper reported in mid-January that Oleksandr Yanukovych, the elder son of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, is reportedly selling anthracite in Switzerland at a volume of USD 5-6 mln per month. The publication reported its suspicion that he got access to the resources because of his convenient ties.