EU commends Ukraine's progress towards implementation of the Association Agreement and pursuing reforms - European Commissioner Johannes Hahn during a meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine

The European Union welcomes the achievements Ukraine is making in the process of the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU and the introduction of vital reforms. Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiation Johannes Gang during a meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman. The meeting took place on the eve of a visit of the Head of the Government of Ukraine to Brussels.

"I wish to congratulate you on the success that have been achieved - on the implementation of the Association Agreement and the deepening of relations within the scope of the free trade area. Today, it is not just a Road Map of cooperation that we have. All the authorities, and most importantly - the Parliament, are involved in the process of implementation of our agreements", stressed the European Commissioner.

Mr. Johannes Hahn noted that reforms are taking place in the time of challenges the country is facing. Many factors affect those processes, among which are the prospects of regular elections. Hovewer, the European Commissioner added, they should not be an obstacle to change.

The Head of Government, in response, stressed that profound transformations are predominantly irreversible. Those transformations taking place, for instance, in education, healthcare, and pension systems have yeilded first positive results. Similar efforts are being made in the segment of state property management, energy efficiency, public administration, etc.

The parties paid peculiar attention to the issue of establishment of an Anticorruption Court.

"The Ukrainian Parliament began consideration of the draft law on Anticorruption Court. I hope this decision will be endorsed in coming days. It is important to complete the formation of anticorruption infrastructure", the Prime Minister stressed.

"Yes, corruption usually minimizes positive transformations. Thus, the consideration of the bill is good news", Johannes Hahn emphasized.

The sides also discussed further cooperation in the context of macrofinancial assistance to Ukraine, underlined the need to continue the dialogue with international financial institutions, and agreed to harmonize positions within the context of the EU internal debate on the future drawing up of the Union budget. The agenda also encapsulates cooperation in the energy and customs sectors, as well as in the field of innovation, justice and internal affairs.

The Head of Government invited the EU Commissioner to take part in an international conference on reforms in Ukraine, which will be held in Denmark in June.