The Ukrainian government is still waiting for the country's economic growth to resume by 2016, and believes the worst of crisis has passed, Finance Minister of Ukraine Natalie Jaresko said at the 8th Kyiv Security Forum on Friday.

"We are gradually, but confidently, withdrawing from the crisis phase," she said.

She said that the top priorities of the government are macro-stabilization, settling the debt issue thanks to restructuring, attracting investment, and the fundamental improvement of the business environment.

She said that the new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has doubled reserves and stabilizes the hryvnia exchange rate.

Jaresko said that the size of the debt remains too large and the government does not plan to shift the problem to future generations and has proposed that private creditors should reduce the debt and credit rates.

"Negotiations [with private creditors] are very hard," she said.

However, she said that Ukraine's plans are supported by the IMF, the United States, and by other partners.

Commenting on investment, Jaresko said the finance ministry has been set the task of starting attraction from H2 2015.

She added that by September a draft radical reform of taxes aimed at expanding the taxation base is due to be announced which will be aimed at withdrawing the economy from the shadows, increasing the tax burden on rich people, and liquidating tax loopholes and smuggling.

Jaresko said that from October 1, 2015 Ukrainian royalty policy will also be changed.