"The EU's focus is on reforms in line with the AA/DCFTA, rule of law, fight against corruption and democratic accountability. The Ukrainian authorities have done substantial work over the past months to move forward the reform agenda, which needs to be consolidated – therefore crucial that the work continues and delivers results for the benefit of the Ukrainian people," Kocijancic said.
"We see a new quality of democracy thanks to much bigger transparency an openness of all institutions, decentralization, deregulation, generalization of public procurements, police reform, effective use of all institutions and legal instruments to eliminate corruption," she said.
According to Kocijancic, the EU is closely following developments in this week's plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada. "At this critical juncture, it is essential that the country's political leaders maintain focus on the important work towards reforms."
"In particular a push towards more reforms in the sphere of economy is needed, in order to lay fundaments for economic growth. Examples: more resolve action against oligarchic influence over political structures and effective action against monopolies, privatization of SOE in order to ensure more effective management and eliminate loss generating structures, further empowering of local self-governments, reform of public administration, including fiscal and tax service."
"Important to effectively use DCFTA and work on elimination of technical barriers to trade, as well better use of international assistance, especially in key sectors, as energy-efficiency, PFM, state border control, development of infrastructure, health and social spheres," she said.
Kocijancic said that the EU stands ready to continue its substantial financial and technical support for dedicated reform efforts in Ukraine (that should allow systemic transformation and full use of Ukrainian national potential, thus reinforcing ability of the country to protect own sovereignty).
"The current crisis is an opportunity to increase quality of work and to convince citizens that leaders of Ukraine are able to embrace the challenge of systemic transformation as required by the people exactly two years ago. General public interest should motivate everyone to accelerate reform pace and to show new quality of serving the interest of country," she added.
