NABU and British Government step up cooperation in combating corruption in Ukraine
"The G7 is still highly interested in the fight against corruption in Ukraine. We closely monitor the latest developments around the National Bureau and other anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine," said Melinda Simmons, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, during a visit to the National Bureau. It should be noted that the UK currently holds the G7 Precedency.
On April 15, 2021, Ukrainian and British law enforcement agencies signed a Memorandum indented to strengthen cooperation in the field of information exchange to combat organized crime.
The document is a sign of continued cooperation between the British Government and NABU since its establishment in 2015. From the very beginning, Great Britain has expressed support for Ukraine’s anti-corruption reform and, in particular, the results of the NABU`s investigations.
The Memorandum also defines the procedure for providing technical assistance to NABU: equipment, training, expert assistance, as well as regulates issues of interdepartmental cooperation, including in the field of international legal requests.
"The technical assistance provided to NABU by the UK Government enables Detectives to obtain the necessary and compelling evidence and increases the effectiveness of the NABU`s investigations. After all, Ukrainian corruption leaves its track in many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom," reminded Artem Sytnyk.
Artem Sytnyk thanked the British partners for the trust and support of the Bureau, which is extremely important for the work of the institution.
During the visit to the National Bureau, the Ambassador Melinda Simmons, the NABU Director Artem Sytnyk, and his first Deputy Gizo Uglava discussed the results of investigating top-level corruption in Ukraine, challenges in the NABU activities, and ways to resolve them. The Ambassador also visited the forensic laboratory, where mobile phones and computer equipment seized within the investigative actions are being examined. The laboratory uses modern equipment and software provided by the UK government in accordance with agreements on international technical assistance.
It should be reminded that NABU and the UK Government began their cooperation after the establishment of the Bureau in 2015. British experts shared their experience in law enforcement, assisted in building NABU's institutional capacity. Thanks to the support of the United Kingdom, NABU has been provided with the necessary equipment and hardware for its work to be full-fledged and independent.
Thanks to the UK Government, the NABU Detectives and Analysts were trained on the features of the investigation of corruption.
The Memorandum also provides for continuing courses for NABU staff by the National Crime Agency of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
