Ukraine to strengthen anti-corruption institutions: president

VILNIUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Authorities of Ukraine will further create and strengthen institutions tasked with fighting corruption in the country and ensure their independence from political interference, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said Friday during his visit in Lithuania.

"I can assure that I will do my best in order to guarantee independent activities of these institutions. I will not allow them to be discredited," Poroshenko was quoted as saying by local media.

The leader of Ukraine met with Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite in Vilnius. Reforms in Ukraine aimed at fighting corruption across all levels and cooperation in security and defense were among top issues discussed by the two leaders.

Grybauskaite emphasized that the EU and Lithuania strongly support reforms in Ukraine aimed at fighting corruption.

"It is important to ensure that all law enforcement bodies do not abuse the use of operative information and do not participate in political activities," Grybauskaite noted.

"Delayed fight against corruption, attempts by politicians to influence law enforcement bodies, and holding back anti-corruption investigation can become a very serious obstacle on the path of Ukraine towards the EU," Grybauskaite said in a statement released by the presidency.

Poroshenko expressed his hope that Ukraine will be gradually integrated into Schengen Area, accepted into customs and tax union, and be promised of future membership of the EU.

Four bilateral agreements were signed during Poroshenko visit, including an agreement on migration cooperation and a memorandum on strategic cooperation in the field of energy. Enditem