Ukrainian parliament passes ethical lobbying law in line with EU recommendations
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In the first reading, the Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, approved a bill on ethical lobbying, according to MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak.
The bill is part of implementing the recommendations of the European Commission for Ukraine's accession to the European Union, Rubryka reports.
The MP said 309 members of parliament supported Government Bill No. 10337.
The bill defines terminology in lobbying, the rights and obligations of lobbying subjects, methods of influence, and rules of ethical behavior for lobbying subjects. It establishes the Transparency Register, owned and administered by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), defines the registration procedure in the Transparency Register and exceptions to it, and gives open and free access to the Transparency Register and reporting by lobbying subjects entered into the register.
The law also sets mechanisms for monitoring the activities of lobbying subjects through monitoring compliance with lobbying legislation.
Before entering the register, individuals intending to register as a lobbying subject and/or advocacy subject provide a clear list of information.
The register includes information about lobbying contracts, funding sources, client and beneficiary of lobbying activities, and the subject.
It is specified that the information entered into it is public. The refined bill considers proposals made by the coalition of civil organizations, particularly concerning advocacy. Advocacy is not lobbying, and this is fixed in the draft law.
What is lobbying?
Lobbying is the process of influencing government officials, lawmakers, or other representatives of authority to support specific interests or views. It may involve various actions to shape or change legislation, policies, or regulations.
Lobbying can be represented by spokespeople of companies, industries, public organizations, trade unions, law firms, and other groups with certain interests.
This process may include meetings with legislators, drafting bills, addressing the public or media, financial support for political campaigns, and more.
In many countries, lobbying is regulated by legislation to avoid corruption and ensure transparency in the influence of interest groups on decision-making. However, the effectiveness of these rules and the level of influence of lobbyists may vary depending on the country and specific conditions.
On December 14, EU leaders adopted a decision to start the negotiation process on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU.
As Rubryka reported, on November 8, the European Commission officially recommended EU states to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
At that time, the EC presented a progress report on Ukraine in 2023 with further recommendations. Among them was the need to implement all recommendations of the Venice Commission on national minorities, including making some changes to legislation on the state language, media, and education.
The Office of the President noted that Ukraine has fulfilled over 90% of the European Commission's recommendations.
