Ukraine's gradual integration into the EU internal market, structural reforms and international solidarity in access to vaccines were the main topics of the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna and Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office State during a working visit to Germany.

"I have no doubt that both Ukraine and the whole of United Europe will benefit equally from Ukraine's long-awaited membership in the EU and NATO. And the integration of our economy into the internal market of the European Union, even today, is the best tool to combat monopolies and the possibility of creating a competitive economy. This is a real driver of change. Ukraine's progress in implementing the Association Agreement should be accompanied by expanding access to the European market for Ukrainian business," said Olha Stefanishyna.

The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that despite the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's aggression in Donbas, the Ukrainian Government and Parliament, with the political support of the President, continue the difficult process of structural reforms, including banking sector reform, land reform, energy sector transformation, privatization, etc. Meanwhile, judicial reform remains the biggest challenge.

The official reaffirmed that Kyiv highly values Germany's consistent position on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Olha Stefanishyna also stressed the importance of forming the EU's strategic vision for the Eastern Neighborhood in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which will begin in May.