EU Commission Demands Ukraine Appoint Head of Economic Security Bureau

The European Commission is demanding that Kyiv appoint the head of the Economic Security Bureau as soon as possible in accordance with the law and current selection and appointment procedures.

The Gaze writes about it, referring to European Pravda.

The European Commission spokesperson stressed that the reform of the Economic Security Bureau is part of Ukraine's broader commitments within the EU accession process.

“Kyiv must appoint the director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine as soon as possible in accordance with the law on reforming the Economic Security Bureau and the current selection and appointment procedures,” the spokesperson said.

“This is necessary to advance the reform of the ESBU and ensure its independent and effective functioning,” he added.

The spokesperson recalled that the European Commission's report on EU enlargement for 2024 emphasizes the need for rapid implementation of the law on the Bureau, in particular through a transparent selection process based on personal merit.

The ESBU plays an important role in Ukraine's fight against financial crime. The EU has previously stressed the importance of selecting the head of the Bureau based on his integrity.

Stefan Schlening, head of cooperation programs at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, previously emphasized that the appointment of the winner of the competition for the head of the Economic Security Bureau is an important indicator for the EU of Ukraine's progress on the path of reform.

This was one of the few public statements by foreign diplomats on the situation with the Bureau  that were made after the government canceled the results of the competition.

Against the backdrop of the situation surrounding the independence of NABU and SAP, the EU began to raise questions about other reform-related actions, including the appointment of the head of the BEB based on the results of the competition.

In July, despite the expected positive decisions from the European Union, Kyiv began to attack the reforms.