Ukraine is a great
country with significant potential and opportunities, while Ukrainian people
have proven their right to join the European family and the ability to recognize
and protect European values. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine
Volodymyr Groysman during the Ukraine Reform Conference. The conference has become
the major event during the visit of Volodymyr Groysman to the UK, which brings
together representatives of the Government of Great Britain, the European
Commission, heads of leading financial organizations of the world, investors
and managers of large companies.
Opening the
Conference the Head of Government said that the reforms having been implemented
in Ukraine over the past three years are aimed at overcoming the main challenge
- institutional weakness that has been formed for decades.
"And this is why
we don’t divide objectives into those of top priority and tasks to be addressed
later. We have launched reforms in all sectors of life, and we have to do a lot
of important things together and immediately", the Head of Government
said, adding that the Government’s actions are opposed by populist politicians,
who are trying to destroy the reforms, as well as the old system.
"But we have managed
to formulate concrete decisions and to start implementing them", noted
Volodymyr Groysman. “Since 2014 we have begun institutional reconstruction of
Ukraine - including with the help of international partners. Over the years, we
have formed anti-corruption legislation, an independent anti-corruption
infrastructure. The reform of the judicial system that began in October (last
year) is not a simple process, but we understand that it is necessary to build such
a legal system in which the judicial branch has the highest credibility in
society."
In the economic
sphere, the Head of Government stressed, we observe growth after many years of
downturn. The country is implementing one of the most successful reforms -
decentralization, when authority, including financial, is devolved to regions. Moreover,
progressive development can be observed in the tax system and deregulation.
"We have a
medium-term plan that contains goals and objectives - economic growth, the rule
of law, fight against corruption, security and defense,
human capital development of Ukraine and they will yield its result", said
Volodymyr Groysman.
He added that some
say that the topic of Ukraine is not timely and our struggle is the war between
two countries. "Meanwhile, the struggle is underway between the democratic
world and another world that does not recognize democratic values. And the
border of this struggle is at the eastern border of Ukraine", emphasized
the Prime Minister.
He assured that
despite all the challenges, Ukraine is determined to change. And those changes will
affect five most important areas – a pension and land reforms, state property
reform, education and healthcare. In this context, the Head of Government
thanked the international partners of Ukraine for the support and personally
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom
Boris Johnson for organizing the Conference and a clear position on Ukraine.
"I deeply
believe that with such partners, team, plan we will win and achieve success",
Volodymyr Groysman summed up.