Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Oleh Uruskyy met with representatives of diplomatic missions of the G7 States.

The official told about the newly established Ministry and the work being done to ensure its full functioning, plans and prospects.

According to him, "the issue of setting up such an agency was long overdue." At that, Oleh Uruskyy stressed that this does not mean the resuming of activities of the former Ministry of Industrial Policy, but it means creation of a fundamentally different body that meets the current objectives and challenges.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the Ministry of Strategic Industries will focus on solving the following objectives:

• shaping and implementation of military-industrial policy;
• shaping and implementation of state policy in the field of space activities;
• shaping and implementation of industrial policy in relation to other strategic industries and industry of Ukraine as a whole;
• shaping and implementation of state policy in the field of export control;
• other functions and tasks important for the development of the national industry.

Oleh Uruskyy stressed that "the main emphasis will be placed on the reform of the defense industry. But we will also help to solve other issues and problems that will arise in enterprises of various industries."

He noted that special attention will be paid to the situation on the market of armaments and military equipment: "One of the priority objectives of the Ministry will be the revival of our export potential." In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister said that in the future it is planned to create a defense technology agency.

"We have a lot of plans, the defense-industrial complex will be completely reformatted and we understand that without the help of our partners it will be difficult for us. Therefore, we hope that we will maintain a normal permanent dialogue and we will be able to receive consultations on any issues. Cooperation with the world's leading states in this sector is very important for us," Oleh Uruskyy said.

Definitely, such complex reforms will require certain time, not one or two months, but one or two years. The corporatization of enterprises will be carried out, the establishment of a state holding company from the enterprises of the defense industry and the state aerospace holding will take place. In the future, it is possible to supplement holdings by private companies by exchanging shares.

The Deputy Prime Minister also noted the need to attract investment in the defense industry of Ukraine.

These reforms require coordination among a number of government agencies, which is why the position of Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine was introduced. "Of course, the reform is not done for the sake of reform and we hope that it will help attract investment in the defense industry. We hope that, in particular, our strategic partners from the G7 countries will be interested in opportunities for cooperation," Oleh Uruskyy stressed.

He noted that such reforms require coordination between ministries and departments, as well as with the Verkhovna Rada.

"I assure you that we will be able to bring this case to an end. After all, currently, we have the political will of the President of Ukraine, the support of the Prime Minister and understanding in the National Security and Defense Council," he concluded.

Representatives of the embassies of the G7 States said that they would be happy to cooperate and help Oleh Uruskyy and the newly established Ministry, supported the need to introduce corporate governance. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the assistance of foreign partners is crucial, especially at the initial stage of the formation of the Ministry.

Apart from that, the parties discussed the working points on the areas of work of the Ministry's management staff, the number of staff, drew attention to the need to change the legal framework.

It should be noted that the talks were held in a friendly atmosphere, the parties thanked for the productive meeting and stressed the need to continue the dialogue. Representatives of the embassies assured of full support and readiness to share the existing experience in reforming the defense industry.