REUTERS

“The fight against corruption is the foundation of all reforms. Much has been achieved but there are some policy conditions in the fight against corruption that still need to be met” Mogherini told a press conference Friday, according to an UNIAN correspondent in Brussels.

The High Commissioner said she saw that the Prime Minister of Ukraine had reaffirmed his “willingness and determination to face these issues”. She also recalled that with the support of the EU and other international partners, Ukraine had established new anti-corruption institutions.

“We’ve been calling on the Ukrainian authorities to reinforce their efforts to ensure the independence, operational capacity and full effectiveness of the national anti-corruption institutions. And we will continue to work together to follow closely the actions and proposals of the relevant Ukrainian authorities in this field,” said Mogherini, stressing the key role of civic society in fighting corruption.

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The EU High Commissioner said her meeting with Volodymyr Groysman was the first one since the entry into force of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement and introduction of visa-free travel across the EU for Ukrainians. She noted that the discussions with the Ukrainian delegation on Friday were “long, positive, and intense”.

Read alsoMogherini reaffirms EU policy on non-recognition of illegal annexation of Crimea"By working together, we can achieve really tangible and positive results for our citizens," she said.

Mogherini stated that during the meeting, recent progress was discussed in many significant reforms Ukraine is undertaking, including in the social sphere – healthcare and pensions reform – as well as laws on privatization, land reform and energy.

Read alsoNABU raids Justice Ministry HQ to seize documental evidence agents say could have been destroyed"All issues that can help Ukraine unlock its enormous potential for economic development and improve the lives of its citizens," the official said, noting the importance of making these reforms “irreversible”.