On Tuesday, 3 November, the Council of Europe presented to the media in Kyiv four large-scale projects, which will be implemented in Ukraine in the next two years, on strengthening human rights standards, advancing penitentiary reform, fighting corruption and supporting elections in Ukraine

In addition to these country-specific projects, Ukraine also participates in 14 regional actions covering several Eastern Partnership countries.The total budget for the implementation of these projects is 4 million Euros; they are funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe.

The projects will be implemented by the Council of Europe and carried out under the Programmatic Cooperation Framework for Eastern Partnership countries. They will focus on strengthening human rights standards, including the Ombudsperson’s Office; advancing penitentiary reform; fighting corruption and supporting free and fair elections in Ukraine

Verena Taylor, Director of the Office of the Directorate General of Programmes; Christos Giakoumopoulos, Special Advisor to the Council of Europe’s Secretary General for Ukraine; Vladimir Ristovski, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Kyiv; Roman Andarak, Head of Unit on Justice, Liberty and Security, Humanitarian and Cross-border Cooperation, Directorate General European Union of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the projects and replied to questions of the media representatives.

Press notes on the projects for Ukraine