President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with founder of the Open Society Foundations, international philanthropist George Soros.
President Poroshenko has expressed gratitude to George Soros for his support of Ukraine, particularly for urging the international society to increase the level of support to Ukraine.
Petro Poroshenko and George Soros have discussed international instruments and opportunities of increasing the economic assistance for Ukraine. In this context, George Soros has underlined the substantial role of the EU and the importance of finding additional instruments for the EU to help Ukraine. At the same time, George Soros has emphasized that Ukraine must demonstrate commitment to the plan of reforms. "You have to show that new Ukraine is different from the old one," he said.
George Soros has noted that the implementation of reforms required financial assistance. "Ukraine is struggling to protect not only itself, but also Europe. Thus, Europe should help Ukraine implement reforms necessary for the country," he said. George Soros hopes that Ukraine will succeed in the implementation of necessary changes. He has praised the first legislative steps in the sphere of deregulation and judicial reform.
According to the Head of State, the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and transparent appointment of its Director are the measures that will demonstrate the readiness of Ukraine to overcome corruption.
The interlocutors have agreed that the National Council of Reforms was a proper platform for the discussion of legislative initiatives and instruments of the introduction of reforms. It will involve the President, the Cabinet of Ministers and the public into the process of state reformation and consolidate the Ukrainian society.
Petro Poroshenko and George Soros have agreed to continue their dialogue within the World Economic Forum that will be held in Davos at the end of January.