Strengthening the economy and state institutions provide an opportunity to respond adequately to existing challenges and to prolong the development, with the Ukrainian people as the beneficiary. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman stressed during the 12th Kyiv Security Forum. This is an annual event, which is a high-level discussion platform, among the key topics of which are topical issues of national security, the Black Sea area, security issues in Europe and global security in the world. This year, the Forum gathered more than 1000 participants.

In his address to the participants, the Head of Government noted that Ukraine and the whole world are experiencing difficult times - the obvious lack of readiness of global leaders to respond adequately to new global challenges backfires. The world must become more resolute and more open. And in the context of Ukraine's development, one more fundamental issue is added to the security agenda: maintaining the foundations of the economic growth that became possible as a result of the reform program pursued by the Ukrainian Government.

"We passed the first round of elections. It was absolutely democratic. The high turnout proved that Ukrainians do not want to stand aloof from the fate of their state. This is a good message that Ukrainians convey to everyone of us. I am pleased that many outright populist ideas have remained on the sidelines of the electoral process. This demonstrates that people are wise and can distinguish hypocrisy from reality", said Volodymyr Groysman. "Upcoming parliamentary elections can result into establishment of a coalition that would aim to continue the reforms and strengthen the state ... All structural reforms need to be extended. It is critical not to stop halfway ... A strong economy will give us the opportunity to withstand the challenges. We must and have the ability to grow faster than today. On the agenda, we have ready decisions and steps that will open the possibilities for active growth of the economy, and the beneficiary of that will be the Ukrainian people."

The Head of Government stressed that the role of Ukraine in the region would only reinforce. "We are not security consumers, we are its contributors. And here we need more attention and more support from international partners. It should be much stronger", said Volodymyr Groysman. "Ukraine is a large European country with a population of 45 million, which has every possibility to respond to the challenges, to become more democratic. This way - for each of us - is a bounden duty, the commitment to make Ukraine a successful strong democratic country.