President meets with representatives of Venice Commission

President Volodymyr Zelensky had a meeting with representatives of the Venice Commission.

“Also, today I had a meeting with representatives of the Venice Commission, with representatives of the BlackRock investment fund,” Zelensky said in his evening address.

In addition, the President noted that he had a meeting with a delegation of the Congress of the United States.

“We talked about further cooperation between our states for the sake of global freedom. Now, when we are fighting side by side with the United States against tyranny, we have reached a level of cooperation that has never been seen between Ukraine and the United States. But it is not the limit. We will continue developing our cooperation – our true alliance. And I thank everyone who helps!” Zelensky said.

He thanked U.S. President Biden for his leadership, both parties and houses of Congress for their continued support.

“I thank all Americans whose desire for freedom, together with Ukrainian aspirations, together with all our allies and partners, protects global democracy,” Zelensky stressed.

As the President’s Office informs, Zelensky held a meeting with a delegation of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (the Venice Commission) led by President of the Commission Claire Bazy Malaurie who is visiting Ukraine.

As noted, the Head of State thanked the delegation for the visit at this difficult time and for fruitful cooperation between Ukraine and the Venice Commission in various areas of improving Ukrainian legislation.

The President separately expressed gratitude for the important assistance of the Venice Commission in implementing European integration reforms within the framework of our country's implementation of the European Commission's recommendations related to granting Ukraine the EU candidate status.

At the meeting, the issue of preparation and implementation of legislation related to the procedures for selecting candidates for the post of judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine was discussed.

"For the first time, Ukraine is introducing a competitive procedure for the selection of judges of the Constitutional Court. It is a historic reform that was not even discussed under any other President. We are fully aware of the great responsibility that rests on us for holding a fair and transparent competition. It is what the Ukrainian people expect and demand," Zelensky said.

He expressed hope for support from the Venice Commission on this path and confidence in the successful reform of the Constitutional Court.

Laws on de-oligarchization and on national minorities were also discussed at the meeting.

The Head of State confirmed Ukraine's readiness to continue close cooperation with the Venice Commission to ensure effective reforms in line with European standards.