
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.