Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk met with EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom

On Friday, 13 November, Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk met with EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.

Cecilia Malmström confirmed the EU's willingness to provide further comprehensive assistance in the implementation of democratic reforms and countering Russian aggression, appropriate technical assistance and expertise aimed at deepening cooperation between Ukraine and the EU.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk noted the importance of assistance rendered by the European Union to our country and stressed the need to preserve the unity within the EU regarding supporting Ukraine.

The sides discussed concrete steps before the introduction from 1 January 2016 of a free trade area between Ukraine and the EU, larger access of Ukrainian exporters to the EU markets, as well as a range of measures to promote exports and attract direct foreign investment in the economy of our state.

In this context, the interlocutors noted the importance of the business forum Ukraine - EU due in February of2016, which will contribute to the establishment of direct contacts between Ukrainian and European producers.

During the meeting they also tackled the progress of government reforms and ways to facilitate implementation of these. The Prime Minister of Ukraine aired a possibility to establish a Fund to increase payments to Ukrainian civil servants and additional expert and technical support from the EU of a number of government initiatives.

Moreover, Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Cecilia Malmström discussed the prospects of peaceful settlement in Eastern Ukraine.