EU advisory mission to Ukraine ‘successful’, says head

Kiev, January 8 (MTI) – Kalman Mizsei, outgoing head of the European Union’s advisory mission aimed at supporting the reforms of Ukrainian non-military security organs, said the mission has been “successful” during his leadership.

The Hungarian diplomat, who was appointed to the post in July 2014, told MTI that the mission played a key role in devising the country’s law enforcement reform, which entered into force last November. The mission also contributed to a law adopted at the end of last year that limits security service intervention to national security cases, which was a prerequisite for visa liberalisation with the EU, he said.

Mizsei clarified that the mission does not cooperate with Ukraine’s National Guard fighting the east Ukrainian separatists. “Some EU member states try extremely hard to make sure that the EU does not interfere in the Ukraine conflict in any way,” he said.

Mizsei will be succeeded by Lithuania’s police chief, Kestutis Lancinskas, effective February 1.

The mission was established in 2014 with the purpose of advising Ukrainian authorities to ensure that civil law enforcement is in line with a rule of law and democratic principles, and that it is also effective and sustainable.

Photo: magyartudat.com

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters