EU's Mogherini, Ukraine parliament chair: Urgent way-out needed from current political crisis

European Union (EU) foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini here on Wednesday met with Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament Volodymyr Groysman to discuss the situation in Ukraine as well as the ongoing work on the reform agenda.

According to a press release issued by the European External Action Service, they agreed in the discussion that urgent way out is needed from the current political crisis, to maintain the clear and strong focus on economic and political reform process.

Mogherini highlighted the important role Verkhovna Rada, which is the Ukrainian Parliament, is playing in the country's reform drive, including through the adoption of several important laws related to the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan.

"The broader reform efforts -- including on constitutional amendments on judiciary and on decentralization -- need to continue to deliver results for the benefit of the Ukrainian people," said the press release.

They also stressed the need for full implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

On Jan. 1, 2016, the Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU entered into force. The EU is seeking an increasingly close relationship with Ukraine, going beyond cooperation, to gradual economic integration and a deepening of political cooperation.

Ukraine is a priority partner country within the European Neighborhood Policy.
 [Xinhua]
  2/3/16
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