Arseniy Yatsenyuk appeals to the civil society: We are on the same side of the fence, on the same side in the struggle for our common future

The Government needs help of the civil society when the Government takes difficult decisions: "As it's not just the implementation of the reforms – it’s the work on preserving the Ukrainian state. It’s the activity to struggle for our independence and for our future," stressed Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk on Friday, November 20, at the opening of the Seventh Annual Assembly of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum( EaP CSF).

Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed that the Ukrainian civil society is rather strong: "The role of the civil society is determinant for the activity of the Ukrainian authorities." According to the Prime Minister, the stance of the community is a powerful "motivation for the Ukrainian political class to vote and to take the necessary decisions".

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance for the civil society to maintain dialogue with the Ukrainian Government: "We are not on different sides of the fence, never. On the contrary - we are on the same side in the struggle for our common future. Everyone has his own expertise and its own responsibility. But all of us have one single goal - to make our country stronger, to undertake very difficult reforms much needed for the country and make our people happy."

"We need the help of civil society when the Government takes difficult decisions. And I am asking for such help," he said.

Such decisions are part of the reform programme with our European partners, with the International Monetary Fund, G7 states: "I'm talking about difficult decisions that were taken by the member countries of the European Union 20 years ago in the reform of the energy sector, in changing the budget, in the changing a social policy of the country, changing the tax policy of the country. In the complete replacement of the system and public government. This is what does not add any political points to any Government."

"The civic society need no political points. The civil society, like us, needs real results. And therefore in such difficult times for the country, your voice and your support is extremely important. I hope you will not back populists, those who chase after short-term political ranking. You will support the correct and crucial changes for the country", said the Head of Government.

He highlighted that the Government was willing not just to listen to civil society: "The Government hears". Arseniy Yatsenyuk reminded that, in particular, in response to a public request there had been changed members of the Commission on the election of the leadership of the National Anti-Corruption Agency, adopted a package of anti-corruption legislation.