Ukraine will continue to develop market relations to reduce influence of monopolies - Shmyhal

Ukraine plans to continue its systemic fight against corruption and to move closer to EU standards this year, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

He said this at a joint briefing with Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis in Brussels on Wednesday, February 10, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We intend to use this whole year for thorough work, which should result in Ukraine's further practical approximation to EU standards. One of the main tasks for Ukraine and our government is definitely the fight against corruption. This is a systemic struggle, which includes the development of institutions, changes in the rules of the game in various sectors of the economy, and the introduction of new legislative initiatives and acts," Shmyhal said.

He added that in 2021, Ukraine will continue to develop market relations to reduce the influence of monopolies. Shmyhal noted that, in particular, it is planned to "launch the land market, ensure the efficient operation of the gas market, and introduce the market of other services in our country according to the best EU standards."

He added that the strategic task for Ukraine was to establish a country with a successful European democracy, strong state institutions and a competitive economy integrated into the economic and financial area of the European Union.

Shmyhal said that the topics discussed with Dombrovskis included the issue of further liberalization of trade between Ukraine and the EU, which will help increase mutual trade and ensure the further rapprochement of economies.

He stressed that the Cabinet of Ministers remained committed to the course for pro-European reforms and radical internal transformations in the country so that Ukrainian businesses could continue to actively enter the EU market and large investments and the latest technologies could come to Ukraine.

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