Increase in social standards to be priority task in 2019 — Poroshenko

President Petro Poroshenko said this during a meeting with residents of the Stanyshivka united territorial community in Zhytomyr region, the press service of the head of state reported.

"As of January 1, a new minimum wage was set at almost UAH 500 more - it was UAH 3,700, and now it is UAH 4,171. The first priority in 2019 will be to raise the level of social standards," the head of state emphasized.

According to the president, the reforms that have not been carried out over the past 23 years are being carried out now. Due to the decentralization reform, local communities received funds and powers necessary to change the quality of life of the residents of cities and villages.

Poroshenko noted that decentralization was recognized as one of the most successful reforms. "I am proud that for the first time, taking into account subsidies and subventions, local budgets have exceeded the state budget. That's right - the money should be closer to people," he said.