PM Shmyhal: Ukraine, EU preparing a number of mutually beneficial proposals

"We prepare a number of mutually beneficial initiatives that should take Ukraine-EU relations to a new level. Ukraine remains a reliable and predictable trading partner. We are determined to accelerate the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and are also open to trade and economic cooperation in world markets," Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said during a video conference round table "Ukrainian reforms: What's next?" organized by the Chatham House, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to him, Ukraine also already makes a contribution to the Euro-Atlantic security and is ready to strengthen its cooperation with the Alliance. "We are not looking for protection, we are looking for partnership. We very much appreciate NATO's decision to grant Ukraine EOP status," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also stressed that despite the difficult situation related to the spread of coronavirus infection in the world, Ukraine and international partners had managed to take a number of successful steps towards deepening cooperation. "Over the past month, we have achieved quite impressive success in this cooperation. This includes the signing of a new program with the IMF, the agreement with the EU on macro-financial assistance, the tranches we received from the IBRD, three agreements with the EU, in particular in the field of support for small and medium-sized businesses and farmers. There are a lot of negotiations, plans, agreements for the future," he said.

At the same time, Shmyhal acknowledged that Ukraine still had unsolved problems. In particular, he mentioned corruption, populism of politicians, shifting the focus of political discussions, attacks on the Western vector of development carried out by pro-Russian forces inside and outside the country.

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