Preparations are underway for the fourth Conference on Reforms in Ukraine, which was postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to visit the event in Vilnius. This was announced by Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva in an interview for the Lithuanian branch of the leading information agency of the Baltic region "Baltic News Service" (BNS).
"We hope that the conference will take place this year. The Ukrainian government and the Office of the President are already working on this. The Head of State will be happy to come to Lithuania to discuss progress in Ukrainian reforms and support for Ukraine by European partners," he said.
According to Ihor Zhovkva, over the past year and a half, Ukraine has shown significant progress in reforms, in particular, recently President of the European Council Charles Michel noted the efforts of the President of Ukraine in judicial and banking reforms, as well as in the agro-industrial sector.
"We expect a fair assessment of the process. And we count on the assistance for Ukraine to continue this path of reforms," he stressed.
The Deputy Head of the Office of the President also focused on the process of Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. He reminded that the Ukrainian state has received the NATO EOP status and raises the issue of obtaining the MAP.
We understand that we have to do our "homework", including reforms in the security and military sector of Ukraine. We are working on it," Ihor Zhovkva noted.
Work is also under way to deepen Ukraine's integration with the European Union.
"A lot depends on Ukraine, but not everything. We will work on our "homework", but we really count on the support of Brussels and the EU member states. And here, by the way, the role of Lithuania is very important, because I hope that Lithuania unanimously supports Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO," the Deputy Head of the Office of the President emphasized.
He also stressed that the Republic of Lithuania is not just a strategic partner for Ukraine, but a "strategic friend and brother", and both countries have great potential for cooperation.