On Thursday, May 26, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met with the Ambassadors of the Nordic and Baltic countries. The sides discussed prospects for liberalization of EU-Ukraine visa regime, implementation of the Minsk agreements, further steps of the Government as to reforms as well as prospects for cooperation between the countries.

The Prime Minister informed that the new Government along with the Strategic Advisory Group for supporting reforms in Ukraine worked out the operational plan of priority steps by the end of 2016, which would be approved at an extraordinary meeting of the Government on Friday, 27 May.

According to him, the plan includes five priority areas of the Government’s work, including: macroeconomic stabilization, improving the quality of public administration and public services, effective fight against corruption, judicial reform, creating favorable conditions for the business development.

"The newly formed Government is focused on further European integration, carrying out comprehensive reforms, active struggle against corruption," underlined the Prime Minister.

Volodymyr Groysman informed his interlocutors about measures undertaken by the Government in these areas. In particular, the Cabinet of Ministers made decisions on the introduction of a single market-based price for gas and the single customs window, medicine market deregulation, the competitive appointment of the management of state-owned enterprises and ensuring open government procurement, preparation of public auction of Odesa Portside Plant privatization, support for the work of anti-corruption bodies. The Government will also continue deregulation, decentralization and changing the system of Ukrainian customs.

The Prime Minister emphasized that European and Euro-Atlantic Integration remains one of the Government’s main priorities, proof of which is the establishment of the position of Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration for the first time. It is occupied by Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. In this context, the Government is still focused on completing the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, noted Volodymyr Groysman.

The Prime Minister raised the issue on liberalization of the visa regime by the EU for Ukraine. He stressed the importance and symbolism of this decision for Ukraine and expressed hope that "with your support, the support of your countries and our partners we will get a positive decision of the European Parliament as soon as possible."

In her turn, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration noted that that it is necessary to evaluate each country- applicant for the visa-free regime with the EU individually. She pointed out that Ukraine met all the criteria of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan and is looking forward to the decision by the EU.

"We think that the approach when Ukraine, Kosovo, Georgia and Turkey consider the “one package” is completely false. We believe that it is important to assess each country in accordance with the conditions and the commitments that we have undertaken," noted the Vice Prime Minister. "Deep discussion and adoption of a decision on suspending the visa-free regime might take a lot of time. And binding of visa-free regime in a decision on the mechanism of suspension of its operation may result in undue delay. It’s something we can’t afford. Because it is a decision about our dialogue, it is about our mutuality, it’s about the implementation of the commitments of both sides."

Moreover, the Prime Minister also informed that the day before the Mission of the International Monetary Fund completed its work in Ukraine. According to him, it has been done substantial work and determined a further action plan.

The meeting also discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements and prolongation of the sanctions against Russia.

In turn, the Ambassadors of the Nordic and Baltic states welcomed the decision of the Government to achieve energy independence of Ukraine and stressed the need for continued structural reforms in Ukraine, including in the fight against corruption and changes in the judicial system. They assured the willingness of the Nordic and Baltic countries to support Ukraine on the path of reform.

The participants also welcomed the return to Ukraine of Ukrainian pilot and MP Nadiya Savchenko and assured their commitment to the policy of condemning the military aggression in eastern Ukraine and the Crimea's annexation by Russia.

Volodymyr Groysman also thanked the Ambassadors of the Nordic and Baltic countries for supporting Ukraine and called for strengthening cooperation of the states.