European Union Urges Ukraine to Immediately Appoint Head of the Bureau of Economic Security in Accordance with Law
The European Commission has formally reached out to Ukrainian authorities, urging them to promptly appoint the head of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES).
This appeal is part of Ukraine's broader commitments under its EU accession process, as the reform of the BES plays a critical role in combating financial crimes and corruption within the country.
According to a spokesperson for the European Commission, Kyiv must urgently comply with legislation regarding the appointment of the bureau’s chief, following transparent and merit-based procedures.
This move aims to ensure the effective functioning of the agency and bolster trust among international partners.
The 2024 EU enlargement report emphasizes the need for rapid implementation of the BES law through a transparent, merit-based selection process.
The significance of this reform is also highlighted by international diplomats, including Stefan Schlöninng, head of cooperation programs at the EU Delegation in Ukraine, who stated that appointing the BES director would serve as a vital indicator of Ukraine’s reform progress and demonstrate resistance to political interference in financial investigations.
In this context, the EU has intensified its demands concerning the legitimacy and transparency of the leadership selection process, especially after recent attempts by the government to annul the results of the competition.
It is important to note that amid discussions on the independence of agencies like NABU and SAP, the EU is raising concerns about related reforms to reinforce Ukraine’s European integration trajectory.
Against this background, government efforts to block reform processes project a worrying trend, threatening future cooperation with European partners, analysts warn.