News Release
Department of Defense
Republic of Latvia
July 7, 2017
On 6 July in London, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs took part in an international conference on reform in Ukraine jointly arranged by the Governments of the United Kingdom and Ukraine.
The Minister commended the progress achieved by the Ukrainian Government in implementing reforms. Considerable progress has been achieved in the reform process; however, much more needs to be done, Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs noted. It is essential that Ukraine has political will to move ahead with reforms and not to stop at what has been attained. The tangible socio-economic improvements achieved through reforms are major steps on the path towards eurointegration chosen by Ukraine. At the same time it is vital to be aware that reforms are being put in place not only because EU institutions demand so, but to promote Ukraine’s stability, development and prosperity, Edgars Rinkēvičs pointed out.
The Minister also emphasised that serious efforts are needed in areas such as the reform of law enforcement institutions, fighting corruption, and economic reform that would bring in investments and improve the business climate.
The Foreign Minister confirmed that alongside other international partners, Latvia will continue providing political and practical support for reform in Ukraine. Through bilateral development cooperation projects, we will continue sharing our reform experience with Ukraine, noted Edgars Rinkēvičs.
On a joint initiative of the UK and Ukraine, on July 6, London was hosting a major international conference in London on reform in Ukraine, “Opportunity Ukraine”. The conference was chaired by Boris Johnson, UK Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. At the event, Ukraine presented its Medium-Term Plan of Priority Actions for 2017-2020 approved by the Government and together with its international partners looked back at what has been achieved as well as laying out reform objectives to be implemented in future.
