Destination: Transparency - New EU Member States' Best Practices for Moldova and Ukraine

 

Shortcomings in the rule of law and particularly corruption remain the main obstacles of improving the levels of democracy and prosperity even in the most advanced of the Eastern Partnership countries. Slow and ineffective reforms in this field are also a disincentive to improving business and trade relations with the neighbouring EU Member States and pose a number one barrier to advancing relations with the EU.
While the national authorities have already adopted part of the necessary legislation, there is a long way to their full implementation, which is not just a legal matter, but one of political will and public endorsement. The EU’s support comes primarily through the Eastern Partnership via both bilateral and multilateral channels. Yet the six years’ experience of the policy shows clear pitfalls and space to improve the effectiveness of the existing support mechanisms.