EU expects next Ukrainian Prosecutor General to hold law degree

The EU expects the early appointment of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.

As EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, said, the Prosecutor General should have experience and hold a law degree, Radio Liberty reports.

“During the first 100 days, the Government of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada should appoint and the President should approve the new Prosecutor General, who should be focused on the reforms. The public should receive the clear signals that there is a commitment to reform. The Prosecutor General should hold a law degree,” said Hahn, who is on a two-day visit to Kyiv.

Currently, Article 40 of the Law of Ukraine “On Prosecutor’s Office” stipulates that a citizen of Ukraine, which holds a law degree and has at least 10 years of work experience in the field of law, may be appointed as the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. However, a bill was registered in the Verkhovna Rada which proposes to amend these requirements. According to the document, the candidate shall hold a law degree and have at least five years of work experience in the field of law or experience of work in a legislative or a law enforcement agency.

March 29, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the dismissal of Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin by the President.

Under the effective law, the Prosecutor General shall be appointed and dismissed from the post by the President of Ukraine with the approval of the Verkhovna Rada.