Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met on Friday with Vice President of the European Commission for the Euro and Social Dialogue Valdis Dombrovskis. The parties discussed the advancement of the Government on the reform path and agreed on practical measures necessary for Ukraine to be granted the second tranche of macro-financial assistance of the European Union.

Volodymyr Groysman stressed that the Government had managed to create such an agenda that provided the opportunity to continue cooperation with the IMF. In this context, the Prime Minister informed that the day before Ukraine had got a positive decision of the International Monetary Fund on prolonging the program of cooperation with Ukraine and the allocation of additional financial aid worth US $ 1 billion.

The two sides tackled and found accord on practical steps required for the allocation of the second tranche of the EU macro-financial assistance in the amount of EUR 600 million.

In this context, the Government is looking forward to the adoption by the Parliament necessary laws next week, said the Prime Minister.

Moreover, Volodymyr Groysman announced that the day before the Government had approved and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine a draft budget for 2017, envisaging for a GDP growth of 3%, the deficit not exceeding 3% and containing clear priorities of the Government’s activities. "This is a budget which is aimed to ensure stability in our country," he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Government is committed to pursue reforms. He informed the European Commissioner on the essential lines for the Government, including a reform of the customs, public administration reform, of tax administration, and judicial system.

He also urged to consider the possibility to review the quotas for Ukrainian products by the European Union.

The parties focused attention on issues of introducing a visa-free regime with the EU, a decision on which, according to preliminary information, is due in October. Apart from that, Ukraine expects for completion of the ratification of the Association Agreement with the EU in the near future, highlighted Volodymyr Groysman.

"All this will have a positive impact on the development of our bilateral relations and such mechanisms will deepen our cooperation", said the Prime Minister.

In turn, Vice-President of the European Commission for the Euro and Social Dialogue Valdis Dombrovskis said the IMF decision on the allocation of US $ 1 billion is a very positive signal. "The EU is also ready to move in the direction of the second tranche of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine worth EUR 600 million, provided that you have met all the requirements agreed upon earlier. If this is done, this tranche will be granted this year," he said.

The Vice-President of the European Commission also welcomed the efforts of the Government to ensure macro-economic stability, to achieve economic growth, reduce inflation in the country: "We must admit that much has been done to stabilize the situation and implement the ambitious programme of reforms," he said.

The parties also discussed the situation in the east of Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements. In this context, Valdis Dombrovskis said that the European Council had decided to extend for 6 months the sanctions against the Russian Federation. He also assured of support by the European Union for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.