President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva.
The President stressed that continuing active cooperation with the IMF within the new stand-by program is an important priority for Ukraine.
"We highly appreciate the comprehensive support provided by the IMF during this difficult period for our country," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President noted that he had met with representatives of commercial and state-owned banks and compiled a short list of candidates for the position of the governor of the National Bank who had been nominated by representatives of the banking sector. He assured that by the end of the week he would propose the candidacy of the NBU governor to the parliament.
"It will be an independent technocrat who will continue the independent course of the National Bank. I make all decisions only in the interests of the people of Ukraine," the President stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his conviction that the NBU together with the government should continue to implement a balanced monetary and fiscal policy, which will serve as a guarantee of macroeconomic and financial stability and promote economic growth and resumption of bank lending in Ukraine.
"Discussions on the activities of the National Bank of Ukraine should be deprived of political color, which may have a negative impact on the institutional capacity and independence of the regulator," the President said.
The Head of State noted that the main criteria for choosing a candidate are professionalism, honesty and impeccable reputation.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured Kristalina Georgieva of Ukraine's firm desire to continue cooperation with the IMF and stressed that the adopted law on banking was a direct evidence of that desire.