Wesslau: Reform of Ukraine’s Security Service is one of most needed

"As for the reform of the Security Service of Ukraine, I think it is one of the most challenging but also one of the most needed reforms. It will require strong political will," Deputy Head of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine Fredrik Wesslau said at the sixth meeting of the Parliament-Civil Society Platform, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to him, the reform of the Security Service of Ukraine and parliamentary control are important because this will make the security sector more transparent and efficient and will increase the level of trust in Ukrainian security agencies.

"And this trust is important not only for strengthening democracy but for restoring the trust of Ukrainian citizens in power and the agency also," Wesslau noted.

He added that "Zelensky and his team understand the need to reform the Security Service and set it as one of their priorities."

Wesslau clarified that the EUAM cooperated with NATO and other partners to reform this area, "but we have seen the draft laws and do not think they meet Euro-Atlantic standards."

Ukraine deserves a security service that meets the highest standards of the EU and NATO and works to protect the interests and rights of Ukrainians, "therefore parliamentary control should also be on time", the Deputy Head of the EUAM Ukraine said.

He noted that he wanted to see the Security Service of Ukraine "a more civilian body rather than militarized one, and this is the norm in Europe and the United States."

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