Volodymyr Groysman: I believe that 2017 should become a year of development

Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman believes that having stabilized the situation in the country in 2016, we can ensure 2017 to be a year of development. The Head of Government said in his statement during the 13th annual meeting of Yalta European Strategy on Saturday.

"I assure you that 2016 is a year of stabilization, hence 2017 should trigger development", said Volodymyr Groysman.

The Prime Minister noted that Ukraine is the first country in the former Soviet Union that is trying to change, following the example of democratic countries, and has the full potential to become a symbol of the successful change and reform.

"Today our challenge is to unlock the potential of an independent, sovereign, European country," he said.

According to him, over the past 25 years, Ukraine has become an independent state, but a number of opportunities emerging in the process of the formation of it as a strong, democratic state were lost.

"Just remember 2005, 2010, when we could have provided relevant transformations, but, instead, the problems deepened and, unfortunately, in 2014 we lost the most precious - lives of our best. We were subject and until today have been engaged in resistance to the Russian aggression, because Ukraine as a free country and the Ukrainian people have made a choice: we do not want to dwell on the past, we want to go forward into the future," he urged.

After the revolution of dignity in 2014, "the Single Treasury Account of the state having 45 million citizens contained a little over 10 thousand dollars", reminded Volodymyr Groysman. "We had tanks deployed in the East. We had a lot of problems and a looted country," he said.

In addition to the Russian tanks, another evil for the country remain "dangerous enemies" such as populism and corruption, stressed Volodymyr Groysman.

However, we have reached some progress in reforms, said the Prime Minister, in particular, a complete package of all anti-corruption laws was formed, deregulation and decentralization are underway, civil service reform was launched.

The Government is ready to do its work fairy and efficiently to enact changes and crucial reforms in the country, said the Prime Minister.

"Our objective is to bring changes that will provide opportunity for the Ukrainian citizens to get fair courts, the changes that will enable necessary reforms and economic growth, changes that will afford to ensure social justice. And we have such solutions", accentuated Volodymyr Groysman.

"I deeply believe that our future is with the European Union - being a strong partner of Europe, as a country that adheres to democratic values, that has the freedom of speech, that has a developed economy and high living standards", summed up the Prime Minister.