The EBU community has welcomed the successful legal registration of the new Ukrainian public broadcaster - Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC).

The registration on 19 January successfully concludes an intensive process of work on legal, structural and administrative acts and reforms.

“This is a big step forward in the reform of Ukrainian media, which has been considered by the Ukrainian government as a corner stone for overall reforms in the country,” said EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre.

“We sincerely hope that the government will continue to support the development of public service media in Ukraine as a genuine service to the citizens and will ensure its appropriate funding as provided in the Law and as assured by the government at the adoption of the budget for 2017.”

UA:PBC is the host broadcaster for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in May. “This will send an important message to the citizens of Ukraine and the whole Europe about the role of public service media in reinforcing our European values in society,” added Deltenre.

The EBU will provide further professional assistance to the new entity and support its endeavors to best fulfill its remit in society.