In a conversation with Euronews, Ukraine's new Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna says Kyiv must align its legal framework with the EU.
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In addition to her current portfolio as deputy prime minister in charge of Kyiv’s accession to the European Union and NATO, Olha Stefanishyna has now become Ukraine’s new justice minister.
Speaking to Euronews, she explained how these roles combine in the pursuit of Ukraine’s membership aspirations towards the European Union.
To Stefanishyna, the accession process is not only about communication with the European Union but largely a domestic reform-related process.
To achieve this, she said the Ukrainian justice ministry will undergo a reshuffle if necessary.
“Basically, accession process and bringing ourselves back to the European family is about the values and the rule of law and the fundamental areas,” Stefanishyna said. “Here, the Ministry of Justice will be the major head of the oversight of all this reform agenda.”
“Nobody is tired in Ukraine; we can adjust along the way. We will remain in every function we need to keep the country running, to make the country functional and operational. If it would require another reshuffle, it will be made.”
Stefanishyna is well known in Brussels as she has been a key negotiator in Ukraine’s efforts to join the EU.
Prior to her appointment, she said in a speech that “hundreds and thousands” of legal changes were needed for Ukraine to become a member of the 27-member bloc.
For more on this topic, watch the Euronews video in the player above.