Merkel urges Ukrainian govt to continue fight against corruption, judicial and land reforms

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to continue work on fighting corruption in the country, judicial and land reforms.

"We see the progress of reforms, whether it concerns tender purchases, whether it concerns digitazing, digitalization. But I want to say, and you know it yourself, that some steps still need to be taken, and I understand that it is very difficult. For example, I mean the fight against corruption, the courts, and also the land market," said Merkel, opening the fourth German-Ukrainian business forum, which takes place online on Friday.

The Chancellor urged Shmyhal to continue this course of reforms and noted that Germany welcomes the laws adopted in Ukraine that relate to investments and which give investors more guarantees to protect their investments. According to her, this course is very important, this also applies to cooperation with the International Monetary Fund.

"The implementation of these reforms, association with the EU – the EU's macro-financial assistance also depends on this. I understand that the path your government is taking is difficult, not easy, but at the same time, it brings Ukraine closer to the EU, and also a step for step leads to the mutual opening of markets, because these reforms are investments in the future in economic, political and social terms," Merkel said.

Source: www.en.interfax.com.ua