UNITED STATES TO PROVIDE UKRAINE WITH NEARLY $4.9 MILLION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

The U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Interior of Ukraine today signed an agreement under which the United States Government will provide Ukraine nearly $4.9 million in technical assistance for law enforcement and strengthening the rule of law. The volume of U.S. assistance in this sector has increased by over $2 million dollars since last year in a reflection of the growing mutual interest by both governments in expanding law enforcement cooperation.

The money will be used for several projects including:

• comprehensive reform of the law enforcement system of Ukraine and strengthening specialized services for combating corruption;
• strengthening the independence of the judiciary and the role of defense attorneys;
• developing software and hardware infrastructure to support operational activities of the Ministry of Interior;
• expanding the fight against trafficking in human beings to include people exploited for labor; and
• strengthening the State Border Guard Services.

U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Sheila Gwaltney, who signed the agreement for the U.S. said, “The U.S. Government welcomes the efforts of the Ukrainian Government to reform its law enforcement agencies in line with European standards, to strengthen the independence of its judiciary, and to ensure that it is the rule of law that governs relationships in your society. The U.S. Government will be Ukraine’s strong ally on this road.”