On Wednesday, 6 July, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Borge Brende. The sides discussed the agenda of reforms in Ukraine and exchanged views on further cooperation between the countries.

The Prime Minister called for the speedy launch of the Norwegian-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, an inaugural meeting of which will take place in Oslo on 26-27 September, 2016. "This Commission is a good mechanism for joint cooperation," he pointed out.

Ukraine is interested in further cooperation with Norway, the Prime Minister emphasized. In particular, an important area of ​​bilateral cooperation is the energy sector.

The Prime Minister informed his interlocutor about the main priorities of the Ukrainian Government, the first steps taken and the implementation of sectoral reforms. Thus, the Cabinet of Ministers is focused on ensuring macroeconomic stability, improving governance,combating corruption. Moreover, the Government has begun preparations for privatization of state-run enterprises, continues deregulation, for the first time carried out reform of the gas sector, destroyed the corruption in the formation of gas price and corruption in the pharmaceutical market. The Cabinet of Ministers is working on the energy sector reform, including development of domestic hydropower, as well as Ukrainian customs reform.

"We are going the path that will allow Ukraine to escape from the state where we are after years of stagnation," Volodymyr Groysman noted.

Borge Brende welcomed the launch of the judicial reform in Ukraine and stressed the importance of ensuring the development of the Ukraine's economy and the effective implementation of reforms.

The Foreign Minister of Norway assured of the support of Norway to Ukraine and noted a significant potential for enhancing partnership between the two countries.

The sides also touched upon issues on the challenges facing Ukraine, including political populism and Russian aggression.

Volodymyr Groysman said that Ukraine has high hopes for the NATO summit to be held in Warsaw on 8-9 July. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of support from Norway in cooperation with NATO and expressed gratitude for maintaining Ukraine on the international arena.