Sikorski: Ukraine can get IMF aid, provided it embraces reforms, PAP
Within Ukraine’s reach is a multibillion aid package from the International Monetary Fund, on condition, however, that reforms are carried out,” Radosław Sikorski in Budapest on Monday.
The chief of Poland’s diplomacy is in Hungary’s capital for a meeting of foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group (V4), Rumania, Bulgaria and Greece.
At a joint press conference, Sikorski noted that Greece which is slowly coming out of an economic crisis thanks to painful reforms is currently holding the Presidency of the EU Council.
The chief of Poland’s diplomacy recalled that Ukraine made a deal with Russia, under which Kyiv was to receive USD 15 billion from Moscow. Sikorski added that at one point this deal was described to the international community as “being motivated by Christian charity” toward its neighbour.
Sikorski said he was sure that Russia giving Ukraine the second tranche of the promised aid would be “a good-will gesture” on the part of Moscow and would certainly contribute to the stabilisation of the situation in Ukraine, something which also lies in Russia’s interest.
The minister believes that the international community should support Ukraine in getting back to the implementation of its agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
The Ukrainian finance ministry and the central bank have assessed that Ukraine needs USD 35 billion in macro-financial aid in 2014-2015. The Kyiv authorities have asked their foreign partners, notably the US and Poland, for a loan within 1-2 weeks.
It transpires from Monday’s statement by EC spokesman Olivier Bailly that the EU is prepared to help Ukraine, provided it embraces reforms, and the association agreement may be signed once a new, legitimate government is formed after the 25 May elections.
Top diplomats from Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece discussed energy cooperation in the region, climate policy, migration and the Eastern Partnership, focusing on Ukraine.
In their joint statement on Ukraine, the V4 foreign ministers said they were prepared to go to Kyiv to share their experiences with the new government. They also underlined that economic stability is a key factor in the process of consolidating a state and that international institutions should be prepared to provide their support.
The ministers congratulated Sikorski on brokering, together with foreign ministers of France and Germany, the “historic agreement” which stopped bloodshed in Ukraine.
http://www.msz.gov.pl/en/
Няма коментари:
Публикуване на коментар